Where did lucky money come from?
By Nguyễn Long Huy 11.3
Red Packets, Hongbao, or… Lì Xì
Did you know: red packets filled with money protect your children! It may sound like something you would say to get your relatives to give you more money, but it is true according to Chinese folklore. So what is the story behind these red packets?
Photograph by 總統府, courtesy of Wikimedia. CC BY SA 2.0
Red Packets’ Origins
Red packets date as far back as the Han dynasty, where initially, coins were given. A prominent legend explains that a demon named Sui would terrorize children on New Year's Eve, causing them distress and fever. To protect their children, parents would keep them awake all night. In one version of the tale, a child received eight coins to play with, which he wrapped in red paper. When Sui approached the sleeping child, the coins emitted a bright light that scared the demon away. This led to the custom of giving red packets filled with money to symbolize protection and good luck. The color red represents happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Believed to drive away evil spirits, red packets became a vital part of New Year celebrations (and even other joyous occasions such as weddings and birthdays). Today, red packets are not only given to children but also exchanged among adults as a gesture of goodwill. The envelopes may contain various amounts of money, typically even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with funerals. And with technology, there has even begun the rise of digital red packets as well.
Will it be preserved?
It’s universal that everyone loves being on the receiving end of the tradition, but will it be carried on by the younger generation? Let’s see what WISers think about it:
“Of course! When I grow up I’ll give lucky money to the younger kids to continue this tradition” – Ngọc Khánh 12.3
“Yes, because it is a very fun and meaningful Vietnamese tradition. Receiving money makes me feel much happier during the Tet season” – Hà Nguyễn Rita 9.1
“I will continue supporting this tradition as this is always included inside my family tradition.” – Nhật Minh 9.1
Now you know!
What started as a way to ward off evil spirits, evolved into a way to spread joy and good fortune. We all love receiving lucky money, including me, so it's only right to pay it forward and do the same for the future generations. It just adds that extra bit of childhood magic into Lunar New Years!
