Chinese Custom: Chinese Red Packets

[Cecil Lee]

[Note: This message contains 4 images. Each image range from 55k to 27k]
1. In modern times, Chinese Red Packets or Hong Bao (in Mandarin) and Ang Pow (in Hokkien) are given by married couples to their elders and to children of relatives and friends and unmarried family members during Chinese New Year.
*Joke* The advantage is to remain single and unmarried. Here, the parents or relatives may continue to give you yearly Red packets. -But in real life, this is True-
2. Remember if one gives a Hong Bao to give money in `pairs' e.g. $2, $4, $10 etc... Never give money in odd numbers e.g. $1, $3 etc... This signifies loneliness.
3. It is common especially for Banks, businessness etc.. to give away Hong Bao blank enevelopes to their customers nearing Chinese New Year to use.
4. I hope that by now, after having seen pictures of Chinese Wedding Invitation cards, Red Packets and Chinese New Year Greeting cards, you can understand the significance of the colour RED as an auspicious colour for the Chinese. During Chinese New Year, many homes also hang a red banner above their doors.
Below, Actual size, Picture 1, size = 5k showing the Front cover of a sample Hong Bao packet. The Chinese word is for luck

Above, Credit: Chase Manhattan Bank
Below, Actual size, Picture 2, size = 27k showing the Back cover of a sample Hong Bao packet. The Chinese word is for luck

Below, Actual size, Picture 3, size = 48k showing the Front cover of a sample Hong Bao packet. The Chinese word is for luck

Above, Credit: American Express, Travel Related Services
Below, Actual size, Picture 4, size = 30k showing the Front cover of a sample Hong Bao packet. It has a common Chinese wording that says " Every year have fish" implies every year you have abundance of `fish' (money etc..)

Above, Credit: Citibank, Singapore