Handy Guide: Origin and Modern Twist of "Lucky Money"

Hello there!

It’s great to hear from you. I’ve previously shared information about some Spring Festival customs you might find interesting. Now, I’d like to introduce another fascinating tradition that holds significant cultural value and is widely embraced by the public.

Following the lunar New Year countdown, the youngsters traditionally conveys auspicious new year blessings to their elders. In return, the elders present red envelopes containing "lucky money." But why is it called “lucky money”? The practice dates back to ancient times when it was used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and bestow blessings of peace. "Lucky money”, or “Ya Sui Qian” in Chinese, refers to "the money to suppress the monster named Sui." Initially, “lucky money” wasn’t actual currency but talismans shaped like money, symbolizing the family’s wishes for the younger generation to be healthy and happy.

The choice of red envelopes or red paper to house the lucky money is no random decision. It carries symbolic weight. The color red has been a symbol of good fortune in Chinese tradition. The custom of presenting red envelopes may accompany milestone in one’s lifetime, including weddings, childbirth, relocations, construction commencements, birthdays, and more. Each red envelope exchanged during these moments serves as a heartfelt expression of best wishes and shared joy. Isn’t that fascinating?

Now, the modern twist! Approximately 10 years ago, during the Spring Festival, I was introduced to the revolutionary digital red envelopes for the first time. The digital red envelopes, breaking away from conventional whole numbers, allow for conveying special meanings through amounts like 6.66 yuan or 8.88 yuan, symbolizing auspicious numbers in Chinese culture. Beyond the traditional practice of elders gifting to the youngsters, the introduction of multi-person red envelopes in friend and colleague group chats created a novel source of enjoyment with a group of people grabbing for red envelopes that contain randomly assigned amounts of money. According to media reports, during last year’s Spring Festival holiday, users of WeChat sent digital red envelopes more than 4 billion times.

Look, technology has added new annotations to our age-old customs, and the creative transformation of cultural customs, significantly impacting and imbuing meaning into people’s lives, has also encouraged a broader acceptance and application of new technologies. Embrace this trendy culture by giving “lucky money” on the Chinese New Year yourself!