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What could be better than receiving a red envelope with money inside? That is what happens in every Chinese family during each Chinese New Year celebration. Along with all of the other exciting (and delicious!) traditions associated with Chinese New Year, children especially look forward to receiving “Hong Bao” (红包- a red envelope) from their parents and grandparents. The elders prepare these “Hong Bao” as a way of sharing blessings and sending good wishes and luck in the New Year to those who receive them.
What does a “Hong Bao” look like? It is a bright red envelope that is imprinted with lucky Chinese sayings and symbols. For example, a Red envelope might be imprinted with a lucky saying, such as 大吉大利, meaning “Wishing you great luck and wealth in the new year.” Or it may have a fish on it, meaning “May you have abundance in the new year” (fish is pronounced “yu,” a homonym for the word meaning “abundance”). Or it may have an image of a peach, symbolizing “long life,” or an orange, symbolizing “gold” or “wealth.”
And what do you find in a “Hong Bao?” Inside, children will find money…maybe a 100 yuan bill ($20 U.S.) or more. Maybe you would like to start this tradition in your home? You can buy “Hong Bao” at most Chinese grocery stores in the Twin Cities. But remember, if you receive one, don’t open the envelope in front of the person who gave it to you!
And what do you find in a “Hong Bao?” Inside, children will find money…maybe a 100 yuan bill ($20 U.S.) or more. Maybe you would like to start this tradition in your home? You can buy “Hong Bao” at most Chinese grocery stores in the Twin Cities. But remember, if you receive one, don’t open the envelope in front of the person who gave it to you!
To learn more about this tradition and other customs associated with Chinese New Year (and even learn some Mandarin Chinese!), plan to attend the Feng Shui Institute of Minnesota’s Chinese New Year celebration on January 10, 2017. The keynote speaker is Linda Mealey-Lohmann, who will present “Celebrating 2017 – The Year of the Fire Rooster.” It will be an interactive presentation about the characteristics of the 2017 Fire Rooster and the Chinese animal zodiac, and many Chinese New Year traditions (rituals, food, and song). Who knows, you may even receive your very own “hong bao!”