Red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) are one of the happiest little rituals of Chinese New Year — a bright red packet with “lucky money” inside, given with warm wishes for the year ahead.

The tradition is often linked to yāsuì qián (压岁钱), meaning “money to ward off evil spirits,” which dates back centuries in China when families would give coins (sometimes threaded on a red string) to protect children and bring peace and good fortune through the New Year.

Today, it’s less about the amount and more about the meaning: red symbolises luck, joy, and protection, and the gift carries blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity. In many families (and in traditional schools too)

It is also a moment of respect — children bow to their parents, grandparents, and their teachers/masters before receiving a red envelope, turning a simple gift into a beautiful exchange of gratitude and good manners.