![]() When you're celebrating Chinese New Year among the family and friends in your neighborhood, be prepared with a fistful of red envelopes filled with money in varying amounts. Parents and grandparents also receive red envelopes given by their grown-up children/grandchildren as a way of sending them good luck, happiness, and health. In return, grandparents and parents gift their children and grandchildren red envelopes with money, wishing them good luck in the new year. Generally, on Chinese New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, young children and grandchildren give their best wishes to their parents and grandparents. Those who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year. In China, the red envelope (money) is called ya sui qian (压岁钱 /yaa sway chyen/), which means 'suppressing Sui money'. The Meaning of the Chinese New Year Red EnvelopesĬhinese New Year red envelopes are a traditional gift for children or elderly people during Chinese New Year. ![]() The eight coins turned out to be eight fairies.įrom then on, giving red envelopes became a way to keep children safe and bring good luck. ![]() When Sui tried to touch his head, the eight coins emitted a strong light and scared the demon away. Then his parents placed the packet with eight coins under his pillow. The child wrapped the coins in red paper, opened the packet, rewrapped it, and reopened it until he was too tired to continue, and fell asleep. One New Year's Eve, a child was given eight coins to play with to keep him awake. To keep children safe from being harmed by Sui, parents would light candles and stay up for the whole night of Chinese New Year's Eve. As the legend goes, there was a demon named Sui that came out to terrify children while they were asleep. The custom of giving red envelopes originates from some of the oldest stories of Chinese New Year. Chinese new year red envelopes The Origin of Red Envelopes
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