The Chinese Lunar New Year is a very important traditional festival, and also a time for family reunion. At this special moment, people not only greet each other, but also exchange red envelopes. Lunar new year red envelope are a gift that symbolizes blessings and good luck. They are not only a representation of money, but also a continuation of traditional culture.
The meaning and origin of Lunar New Year red envelopes
The origin of red envelopes can be traced back to ancient times, when people believed that red could ward off evil and bring good luck. Therefore, during the Lunar New Year, elders would give red envelopes containing money to younger generations, to wish them peace, health and happiness in the new year.
With the development of the times, the form of red envelopes has also changed constantly. Nowadays, besides cash, people can also send electronic red envelopes to convey their blessings. This new type of red envelope has become popular with the spread of the internet. Through mobile applications, people can send red envelopes to their relatives and friends, and let them feel the festive atmosphere while receiving the red envelopes.
The amount of lunar new year red envelopes also has some implications. In Chinese culture, numbers have auspicious meanings, so people often choose amounts ending with 8 when giving red envelopes, because “eight” in Chinese is close to the meaning of prosperity and success. In addition, some people will also choose amounts ending with 6, because “six” in Chinese is close to the meaning of smoothness and satisfaction. These choices of numbers are not only for giving money, but also for expressing wishes and expectations for the other party.
The etiquette and challenges of lunar new year red envelopes
The receipt of red envelopes also has some etiquette. After receiving the red envelopes, people usually express their gratitude, and return some small gifts at the appropriate time, to show their appreciation and thankfulness. This kind of mutual giving etiquette reflects the affection and friendship between people, and is also a way of expressing respect and gratitude in Chinese traditional culture.
Red envelopes are not only given during the lunar new year, but also on other special occasions. For example, weddings, births, birthdays and other important moments, people will also give red envelopes to express their congratulations and blessings. The expansion of the use of red envelopes makes it a symbol of social etiquette, not only seen during the Lunar New Year.
However, the giving of red envelopes also faces some problems and challenges. With the development of society, people’s expectations and requirements for red envelopes are also increasing. Some people will use the amount of red envelopes as a criterion to measure the closeness of relationships, which brings some pressure to people. At the same time, some people will also pursue the value of red envelopes excessively, ignoring the blessings and emotions behind the red envelopes.
Therefore, when giving red envelopes, we should pay more attention to the expression of blessings and emotions, rather than just focusing on the amount of money. Red envelopes, as a continuation of traditional culture, should carry the friendship and care between people, rather than just the exchange of money.
When is the best time to give red envelopes for the Lunar New Year?
Since ancient times, Chinese people have been accustomed to giving red envelopes to their family members on the eve of the Lunar New Year, implying to suppress evil and protect peace, so the Lunar New Year red envelopes are also called “New Year red envelopes” or “staying up late money”. But some regions also have the habit of giving red envelopes on the first day of the new year. And for relatives and friends, the best time to give red envelopes is when greeting them.
How much to give for red envelopes in different places?
The amount of red envelopes varies in different places. The north likes whole numbers, such as 100, 200, while the south likes lucky numbers with 6, 8, such as: 68, 66, 88, 66.6, 88.8, which represent the intention, conveying a kind of blessing and gratitude.
Giving red envelopes to parents and elders: Generally, the working class will give 1000-4000 yuan red envelopes to each parent, and about 1000-2000 yuan to grandparents and grandparents. Of course, different families will have differences, depending on personal circumstances.
Giving red envelopes to younger generations and children, the amount is generally 100-200.
2024 Lunar New Year Red Envelope Lucky Numbers List
If you are giving red envelopes to friends or girlfriends, you can give the following lucky numbers:
9.99, 99.99 – representing long-lasting
If you are giving red envelopes to friends or business partners who do business, you can give the following red envelope numbers:
6.66, 66.66 – representing smoothness and success, 3 “6” also means awesome and very powerful
If you are giving red envelopes to lovers or spouses, as long as the red envelope numbers have love, such as:
- 5.20, 520 – representing I love you
- 20.13, 2013 – representing love you for life
- 52.40, 5240 – representing I love you to death
- 2.40, 24.00 – representing love you to death
- 24.06, 2406 – representing love you to death
- 5.30, 53.00, 530 – representing I miss you
- 53.40, 5340 – representing I miss you to death
- 34.06, 3406 – representing miss you to death
- 20.99, 2099 – representing love you forever
- 15.73, 1573 – representing deep love
- 19.20, 1920 – representing love you forever
- 13.14, 131.40, 1314 – representing for life
- 33.44, 3344 – representing for generations
Chinese people generally like numbers with “8”, and festival red envelopes can be sent with “8” at the end, such as:
- 1.68, 16.80, 168 – representing prosperity all the way
- 1.78, 17.80, 178 – representing prosperity together
- 1.88, 18.80, 188 – representing prosperity all the time
- 8.80, 8.88, 88.80, 88.88 – representing prosperity
Thank you words when receiving red envelopes
The following are the thank you words when receiving red envelopes in different situations:
Receiving red envelopes from parents:
Thank you, mom and dad, I wish you good health and all the best.
谢谢爸妈，祝您身体健康，万事如意。(Xièxiè bàmā, zhù nín shēntǐ jiànkāng, wànshì rúyì.)
I wish my parents a happy new year, happiness and well-being.
祝父母新年快乐，幸福安康。(Zhù fùmǔ xīnnián kuàilè, xìngfú ānkāng.)
Children receiving red envelopes:
Thank you, mom and dad, happy new year.
谢谢爸妈，新年快乐。(Xièxiè bàmā, xīnnián kuàilè.)
I wish my parents a happy new year, all wishes come true.
祝爸妈新年好，心想事成。(Zhù bàmā xīnnián hǎo, xīnxiǎng shì chéng.)
Receiving red envelopes from friends and colleagues:
Thank you, happy new year, career success.
谢谢你，新年快乐，事业有成。(Xièxiè nǐ, xīnnián kuàilè, shìyè yǒu chéng.)
Thank you for the red envelope, I wish you a happy new year, work smoothly.
感谢红包，祝你新年幸福，工作顺利。(Gǎnxiè hóngbāo, zhù nǐ xīnnián xìngfú, gōngzuò shùnlì.)
Receiving red envelopes from leaders:
Thank you, leader, I wish you good health and work smoothly in the new year.
谢谢领导，祝您新年身体健康，工作顺利。(Xièxiè lǐngdǎo, zhù nín xīnnián shēntǐ jiànkāng, gōngzuò shùnlì.)
Thank you for the red envelope, I wish the leader a happy new year, career success.
感谢红包，祝领导新年快乐，事业蒸蒸日上。(Gǎnxiè hóngbāo, zhù lǐngdǎo xīnnián kuàilè, shìyè zhēngzhēng rìshàng.)
Receiving red envelopes from relatives:
Thank you, relatives, happy new year, family happiness.
谢谢亲戚，新年快乐，家庭幸福。(Xièxiè qīnqī, xīnnián kuàilè, jiātíng xìngfú.)
I wish my relatives a happy new year, family happiness.
祝亲戚新年好，阖家欢乐。(Zhù qīnqī xīnnián hǎo, héjiā huānlè.)
In summary, the Chinese Lunar New Year red envelope tradition is an important cultural phenomenon, which is not only a symbol of money, but also a way of conveying blessings and emotions. The form and amount of red envelopes may change constantly, but the value and meaning they represent are constant. I hope that in the future Lunar New Year, red envelopes can continue to be passed on as a beautiful scenery in our traditional culture.
