A Hong Bao (红包) or Red Envelope 🧧 is a gift of money 💶 packed into a red packet. Red is considered a symbol of luck, life and happiness. Hongbaos 🧧 are given as tokens of good wishes during auspicious occasions such as Chinese New Year and weddings.
Some guidelines for hongbao-giving during Chinese New Year are: Married adults are expected to distribute hongbao, but are not required to give them to older, unmarried relatives; hongbao 🧧 should be given to unmarried, younger siblings or cousins, and on rare occasions, to older unmarried nephews; older, single relatives are not expected to distribute hongbao to the younger generation; and money 💶 packed into the hongbao 🧧 should be an even number as odd numbers are associated with condolence money given at funerals.
Receiving hongbao 🧧 - It is considered rude to stare at relatives or be overeager to receive hongbao. Reticence reflects good upbringing. The giver should be wished gongxi facai (meaning “wishing you a prosperous new year”). It is also considered ill-mannered to open red packets 🧧 in the presence of the giver and other people.
The money packed in the hongbao should be an even number, which is considered lucky and auspicious. If a pair of hongbao is given, the total amount should also be an even number. The Cantonese and Hokkiens give hongbao 🧧 in pairs to the children of close relatives, as tradition has it that good things come in pairs.
Hongbao-giving today has been extended to include those wanting to express gratitude, love, care and appreciation to the recipients. Parents, the elderly, the needy, as well as employees are given hongbaos 🧧 during festive occasions. Besides birthday celebrations, hongbaos are also given to newlyweds by their friends and wedding guests to defray wedding costs.
Hong Bao information from here.
