Red envelope

{{Short description|Gift envelope containing cash}} {{redirect|Hongbao|the Chinese naval commander|Hong Bao|other uses|Red envelope (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox Chinese | pic = Ang pow.jpg | picsize = 250px | piccap = Assorted examples of contemporary red envelopes | t = {{linktext|紅包}} | s = {{linktext|红包}} | l = "red packet" | p = hóngbāo | mi = {{IPAc-cmn|h|ong|2|.|b|ao|1}} | j = hung4 baau1 | y = hùhngbāau | h = fung bao | poj = âng-pau | c2 = {{linktext|利是}}, {{linktext|利市}} {{small|{{lang|en|or}}}} {{linktext|利事}} | l2 = "good for business" | p2 = lìshì | mi2 = {{IPAc-cmn|l|i|4|.|sh|i|4}} | j2 = lai6 si6 | y2 = làihsih | h2 = li si | poj2 = lī-chhī | kanji = {{linktext|お年玉袋}} {{linktext|祝儀袋}} | revhep = otoshidama-bukuro shūgi-bukuro | tgl = angpao / ampaw | ceb = ang pao | khm = អាំងប៉ាវ {{Transliteration|km|ăngpav}} | tha = อั่งเปา | rtgs = ang pow | qn = lì xì mừng tuổi | hn = 利市 𢜠歲 | my = အန်ပေါင်း an paung | ms = angpau }}

A '''red envelope''', '''red packet''', '''red pocket''', '''lai see''' ({{Lang-zh|t=利是|s=利是|cy=laih sih|first=t}}), '''hongbao''' or '''ang pau''' ({{Lang-zh|s=红包|t=紅包|p=hóngbāo|poj=âng-pau|first=t}}) is a gift of money given during holidays or for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, and birthdays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Pockets|url=https://chinesenewyear.net/red-pockets/|access-date=3 April 2021|website=chinesenewyear.net|archive-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409160124/https://chinesenewyear.net/red-pockets/|url-status=live}}</ref> It originated in China before spreading across parts of Southeast Asia and other countries with sizable ethnic Chinese populations.

In the mid-2010s, a digital equivalent to the practice emerged within messaging apps with mobile wallet systems localized for the Chinese New Year, particularly WeChat.

==Usage== Red envelopes containing cash, known as ''hongbao'' in Mandarin and ''laisee'' in Cantonese, are gifts presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or holidays such as Chinese New Year; they are also gifted to guests as a gesture of hospitality. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits.<ref name="RedEnvelope" /> In Chinese, the red packet is also called "money warding off old age" ({{lang-zh|t=壓歲錢|hp=yāsuì qián|labels=no}}) for Chinese New Year.

The act of requesting red packets is normally called ''{{Transliteration|zh|tao hongbao}}'' ({{lang-zh|t=討紅包|hp=tǎo hóngbāo}}) or ''{{Transliteration|zh|yao lishi}}'' ({{lang-zh|t=要利是|hp=yào lìshì|links=no}}), and, in the south of China, ''{{Transliteration|zh|dou lishi}}'' ({{lang-zh|t=逗利是|hp=dòu lìshì|cy=dauh laih sih|links=no}}). Red envelopes are usually given out to the younger generation who are normally in school or unmarried.<ref name="RedEnvelope">{{cite web |url=https://www.envelopespackaging.co.nz/chinese-new-year-red-envelopes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqE2UAHwh2fHmlyExpIyis87whqHh0CujNNnZI_3ezuTWr5jyee |title=Chinese New Year Red Envelopes |website=Envelopes Packaging}}</ref>

The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, following Chinese beliefs; odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals.<ref name="RedEnvelope" /> An exception exists for the number nine, as the pronunciation of ''nine'' ({{lang-zh|links=no|c={{lang|zh|九}}|p=jiǔ}}) is homophonous to the word ''long'' ({{lang-zh|labels=no|c=久|p=jiǔ}}), and is the largest single digit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fengshuiweb.co.uk/advice/angpow.htm|title=The History of the Red Envelopes and How to Use them In the Year of the Yin Earth Pig 2019|website=FengshuiWeb.co.uk|date=19 June 2012|access-date=2 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403111659/http://www.fengshuiweb.co.uk/advice/angpow.htm|archive-date=3 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In some regions of China and among the Chinese diaspora, odd numbers are favored for weddings because they are difficult to divide. One widespread tradition is that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, such as in 40, 400, and 444, as the pronunciation of the word ''four'' ({{lang-zh|labels=no|t=四|p=sì}}) is similar to the word ''death'' ({{lang-zh|labels=no|t=死|p=sǐ}}). When giving money, new bills are favored over old bills. It is common to see long bank queues before Chinese New Year holding people waiting to acquire new bills.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Long queues for new banknotes ahead of Chinese New Year |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/long-queue-new-banknotes-chinese-new-year-3187436 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=CNA |language=en |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120044026/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/long-queue-new-banknotes-chinese-new-year-3187436 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At wedding banquets, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as signify goodwill to the newlyweds. The amounts given are often recorded in ceremonial ledgers for the new couple to keep.

In southern China, red envelopes are typically given by the married to the unmarried during Chinese New Year, mostly to children. In northern and southern China, red envelopes are typically given by the elders to those under 25 (30 in most of the three northeastern provinces), regardless of marital status.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The money is usually in the form of notes to make it difficult to judge the amount before opening. In Malaysia it is common to add a coin to the notes, particularly in ''hongbao'' given to children, signifying even more luck.

It is traditional to avoid opening the envelopes in front of the relatives out of courtesy. However, to receive an envelope, the youth kowtow to thank their elders. In Hong Kong, red envelopes are traditionally opened on or after the 7th day of the Lunar New Year.

During Chinese New Year supervisors or business owners give envelopes to employees.

In Suzhou, children keep the red envelope in their bedroom after receiving it. They believe that putting the red envelope under their bed can protect the children. This action relates to the Chinese "{{lang|zh|壓}} ''yā''". Those ''{{Transliteration|zh|yasui qian}}'' would not be used until the end of Chinese New Year. They also receive fruit or cake during the celebration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&file=85293&page=59|title=Qin Jia Lok|last=Qin|first=Jia|date=n.d.|website=ctext.org|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306234803/https://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&file=85293&page=59|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is traditional to give an actor a red packet when he or she is to play a dead character, or pose for a picture for an obituary or a grave stone.

Red packets are also used to deliver payment for favorable service to lion dance performers, religious practitioners, teachers, and doctors.

Red packets as a form of bribery in China's film industry, were revealed in 2014's Sony hack.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fox-Brewster|first1=Thomas|title=Inside Sony's Mysterious 'Red Pockets': Hackers Blow Open China Bribery Probe|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2014/12/13/sony-pictures-hackers-reveal-mysterious-red-packets-payments-in-china/|access-date=18 February 2015|agency=Forbes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218154445/http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2014/12/13/sony-pictures-hackers-reveal-mysterious-red-packets-payments-in-china/|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Chinese communities of Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macao, it is also customary for red packets to be given to service staff, such as security guards, cleaners, domestic helpers and doormen during the first few days of the Lunar New Year.

===Virtual red envelopes=== Chinese instant messaging and social networking platforms have offered a virtual version of red envelopes, also referred to as ''e-hongbao'',''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-27 |title=More e-hongbao gifted in 2024; trend expected to continue this year |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/more-e-hongbaos-gifted-in-2024-trend-expected-to-continue-this-year |access-date=2025-10-23 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>'' via their mobile payment features, allowing users to similarly distribute gifts of money to contacts and groups.<ref name=":0" /> The practice was popularized by WeChat, which first introduced its red envelope feature via WeChat Pay during the Chinese New Year holiday in 2014. The launch included an on-air promotion during the CCTV New Year's Gala—China's most-watched television special—where viewers could win red envelopes as prizes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="fastco-redpacket">{{cite web |last1=Chao |first1=Eveline |date=2 January 2017 |title=How Social Cash Made WeChat The App For Everything |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3065255/china-wechat-tencent-red-envelopes-and-social-money |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103135948/https://www.fastcompany.com/3065255/china-wechat-tencent-red-envelopes-and-social-money |archive-date=3 January 2017 |access-date=4 January 2017 |website=Fast Company}}</ref> WeChat Pay adoption increased following the launch, and over 32 billion virtual envelopes were sent over the Chinese New Year holiday in 2016—a tenfold increase over 2015.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="fastco-redpacket" />

The feature's popularity spawned imitations from other vendors; a "red envelope war" emerged between WeChat owner Tencent and its historic rival, Alibaba Group, who added a similar function to its payment service, and outbid Tencent to hold a similar promotion during the CCTV Gala in 2016.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Doug|title=Red envelope wars in China, Xiaomi eyes US|url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1715981/red-envelope-wars-china-xiaomi-eyes-us|access-date=18 February 2015|agency=South China Morning Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218160037/http://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1715981/red-envelope-wars-china-xiaomi-eyes-us|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fastco-redpacket" /> Analysts estimated that over 100 billion digital red envelopes would be sent over the New Year holiday in 2017.<ref name="bbc-virtual">{{cite news|title=Why this Chinese New Year will be a digital money fest|work=BBC News |date=27 January 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38746298|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128112533/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38746298|archive-date=28 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-13/tencent-alibaba-send-lunar-new-year-revelers-money-hunting-101043798.html|title=Tencent, Alibaba Send Lunar New Year Revelers Money-Hunting |date=13 January 2017|website=Caixin Global|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072212/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-13/tencent-alibaba-send-lunar-new-year-revelers-money-hunting-101043798.html|archive-date=29 August 2018|access-date=29 August 2018}}</ref> In 2019, WeChat added the ability for the virtual packets to be customized with covers created by brands, which can also link to and integrate with their respective WeChat presences (such as Mini Programs). This feature would be utilized as a form of seasonal marketing and viral engagement.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Li |first1=Ouyang |title=HCI International 2023 – Late Breaking Posters |last2=Zhu |first2=Yonglin |date=2024 |publisher=Springer Nature Switzerland |isbn=978-3-031-49215-0 |editor-last=Stephanidis |editor-first=Constantine |series=Communications in Computer and Information Science |volume=1958 |location=Cham |pages=357–364 |language=en |chapter=Study on the Cover of WeChat Red Envelope from the Perspective of brand Communication |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-49215-0_42 |editor2-last=Antona |editor2-first=Margherita |editor3-last=Ntoa |editor3-first=Stavroula |editor4-last=Salvendy |editor4-first=Gavriel |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-49215-0_42}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Glossy |date=2021-02-22 |title=WeChat's red envelope cover is fashion brands' shiny new ad space |url=https://www.glossy.co/fashion/wechats-red-envelope-cover-is-fashion-brands-shiny-new-ad-space/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Glossy |language=en}}</ref>

One study reported that this popularization of virtual red packets comes from their contagious feature, as users who receive red packets feel obligated to follow.<ref>{{cite arXiv |last1=Yuan |first1=Yuan |title=Gift Contagion in Online Groups: Evidence From Virtual Red Packets |date=2023-08-29 |eprint=1906.09698 |last2=Liu |first2=Tracy |last3=Tan |first3=Chenhao |last4=Chen |first4=Qian |last5=Pentland |first5=Alex |last6=Tang |first6=Jie |class=econ.GN }}</ref>

In January 2022, the American mobile payments service Venmo introduced a similar feature called "gift-wrapping", which similarly allows sent money to be concealed and decorated with a themed animation (which, at launch, included several Chinese New Year-themed animations).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lekach |first=Sasha |date=2022-01-13 |title=How to gift-wrap Venmo payments |url=https://mashable.com/article/how-to-gift-wrap-venmo |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Venmo Launches Gift-Wrapping Feature to Help its Community Celebrate Every Moment |url=https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2022-01-13-Venmo-Launches-Gift-Wrapping-Feature-to-Help-its-Community-Celebrate-Every-Moment |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=PayPal Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> Venmo parent company PayPal cited increases in use of the red envelope emoji (🧧) by users around the Chinese New Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Aisha |date=2022-01-13 |title=Venmo introduces new gift-wrapping feature with eight animated designs |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/13/venmo-introduces-new-gift-wrapping-feature-with-eight-animated-designs/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==

The history of the red packet dates to the Han dynasty. People created a type of coin to ward off evil spirits, {{Transliteration|zh|"yasheng qian"}} ({{lang-zh|hp=yāshèng qián|links=no|s=压胜钱}}), which was inscribed with auspicious words, such as "May you live a long and successful life". It was believed to protect people from sickness and death.

In the Tang dynasty, the Chinese New Year was seen as the beginning of spring, and in addition to congratulations, elders gave money to children to ward off evil spirits.

After the Song and Yuan dynasties, the custom of giving money in the Spring Festival evolved into the custom of giving children lucky money. The elderly would thread coins with a red string.

The Ming and Qing dynasties featured two kinds of lucky money. One was made of red string and coins, sometimes placed at the foot of the bed in the shape of a dragon. The other was a colorful pouch filled with coins.

In Qing dynasty, the name "{{Transliteration|zh|yāsuì qián}}" ({{lang|zh|压岁钱}}) emerged. The book {{Transliteration|zh|Qīng Jiā Lù}} ({{lang|zh|清嘉录}}) recorded that "elders give children coins threaded together by a red string, the money is called {{Transliteration|zh|yasui qian}}."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gu |first1=Lu |title=Qīng Jiā Lù (清嘉录) |chapter=6 |quote=长者貽小儿以朱绳缀百钱谓之压岁钱 zhǎng zhě yí xiǎo er yǐ zhū shéng zhuì bǎi qián wèi zhī yā suì qián |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/02098926.cn/page/n66/mode/2up}}</ref>

From the Republic of China (1912–1949) era, it evolved into 100 coins wrapped in red paper, meaning "May you live a hundred years!". Due to the lack of holes in modern-day coins, red envelopes became more prevalent. Later, people adopted banknotes instead of coins.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kin Wai Michael|first=Siu|date=Winter 2001|title=Red pocket: A traditional object in the modern world|journal=Journal of Popular Culture|volume=35|issue=3|pages=103–125|id={{ProQuest|195369993}}|doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2001.3503_103.x}}</ref>

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the custom of the elders giving the younger generation money continued.

==Other customs== thumb|Girls in Singapore selecting red envelopes for Chinese New Year Other similar traditions also exist in other countries in Asia.

===Ethnic Chinese=== In Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Cambodia, the Chinese diaspora and immigrants introduced the practice of red envelopes.

===Cambodia=== In Cambodia, red envelopes are called ''ang pav'' or ''tae ea'' ("give ''ang pav''"). ''Ang pav'' are delivered with best wishes to younger generations. ''Ang pav'' is an important gift as a symbol of good luck from the elders. ''Ang pav'' can be presented on the day of Chinese New Year or ''Saen Chen'', when relatives gather. The gift is kept as a worship item in or under the pillowcase, or somewhere else, especially near the bed of young while they are sleeping. ''Ang pav'' can be either money or a cheque, and more or less according to the donors.

''Ang pav'' are not given to someone in family who has a career, while such a person has to gift their parents and/or their younger children or siblings.

At weddings, the amount offered is scaled to cover the cost of the attendees as well as help the newlyweds.

===Vietnam=== thumb|Tết greetings shown in the Vietnamese alphabet, chữ Hán and chữ Nôm {{See also|Tết#Greetings}} Red envelopes are a traditional part of Vietnamese culture. They are considered to be lucky money and are typically given to children during Vietnamese New Year. They are generally given by elders and adults, where a greeting or offering health and longevity is exchanged. Common greetings include ''"{{lang|vi|Sống lâu trăm tuổi}}"'' ({{vi-nom|𤯩𥹰𤾓歲}}), ''"{{lang|vi|An khang thịnh vượng}}"'' ({{lang|vi-hant|安康興旺}}), ''"{{lang|vi|Vạn sự như ý}}"'' ({{lang|vi-hant|萬事如意}}) and ''"{{lang|vi|Sức khỏe dồi dào}}"'' ({{vi-nom|飭劸洡𤁠}}), wishing health and prosperity. The typical name for lucky money is ''lì xì'' ({{lang|vi-hant|利市}}) or, less commonly, ''{{lang|vi|mừng tuổi}}'' ({{vi-nom|𢜠歲}}).<ref>{{Cite web|title="Li xi" – Lucky Money for Tet|url=https://www.vietnamonline.com/tet/li-xi-lucky-money-for-tet.html|access-date=3 April 2021|website=www.vietnamonline.com|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411215937/https://www.vietnamonline.com/tet/li-xi-lucky-money-for-tet.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===South Korea=== In South Korea, a monetary gift is given to children by their relatives during the New Year period. Bags known as ''bokjumeoni'' ({{lang|ko|복주머니}}) are used instead of red envelopes.

===Japan=== Monetary gifts called {{Nihongo|''otoshidama''|お年玉}} are given to children during the New Year period.<ref name="JapanFoundation">{{Cite web|url=https://www.irodori.jpf.go.jp/assets/data/elementary02/pdf/Z_L09.pdf|title=Elementary 2 – Lesson 9 What do people do on Coming-of-Age Day?|date=17 December 2020|access-date=3 February 2022|website=IRODORI Japanese for Life in Japan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202171247/https://www.irodori.jpf.go.jp/assets/data/elementary02/pdf/Z_L09.pdf|archive-date=2 February 2022|url-status=live|publisher=Japan Foundation|page=28|language=en}}</ref> White or {{Nihongo|decorated envelopes|お年玉袋|otoshidama-bukuro}} are used instead of red, with the name of the receiver usually written on the front.<ref name="MyNaviWoman2021">{{Cite web|url=https://woman.mynavi.jp/kosodate/articles/13627|title=''Otoshidama''|date=8 December 2021|access-date=3 February 2022|website=myNavi kosodate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227084501/https://woman.mynavi.jp/kosodate/articles/13627|archive-date=27 December 2021|url-status=live|publisher=Mynavi Corporation|language=ja|script-title=ja:【お年玉】名前の書き方・お金の入れ方・年代別相場や常識を確認|trans-title=Otoshidama – How to address, arrange the coins and notes, typical amount, and other common practices}}</ref> A similar practice, {{Nihongo|''shūgi-bukuro''|祝儀袋}}, is observed for Japanese weddings, but the envelope is folded rather than sealed, and decorated with an elaborate bow, called {{Nihongo|''mizuhiki''|水引}}.<ref name="MyNaviWedding">{{Cite web|url=https://wedding.mynavi.jp/contents/press/detail/post-26/|title=''Goshūgibukuro''|access-date=3 February 2022|website=myNavi wedding|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417201931/https://wedding.mynavi.jp/contents/press/detail/post-26/|archive-date=17 April 2021|url-status=live|publisher=Mynavi Corporation|language=ja|script-title=ja:ご祝儀袋に入れるお札の向きや包み方を動画で解説します|trans-title=''shūgibukuro'' – How to properly orientate banknotes, and how to wrap it}}</ref>

===Philippines=== In the Philippines, Chinese Filipinos (known locally as "Filipino-Chinese") exchange red envelopes (termed ''ang pao'') during the Lunar New Year or "Chinese New Year". Red envelopes have gained acceptance in the broader Philippine society. Filipinos with no Chinese heritage appropriated the custom for occasions such as birthdays and in giving monetary ''aguinaldo'' during Christmas and New Year. Due to the phonetics of most Philippine languages, red envelopes are nowadays more well known as ''ampaw''.

===Green envelope=== {{Main|Green envelope}} Malay Muslims in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore adopted the Chinese custom as part of their Eid al-Fitr ({{Langx|ms|Hari Raya Aidilfitri}}) celebrations, but instead of red packets other colored envelopes are used, most commonly green. Customarily a family gives a generally small amount of money in a green envelope, and may send it to friends and family unable to visit. Green is used for its traditional association with Islam. The adaptation of the red envelope is based on the Muslim custom of ''sadaqah'', or voluntary charity. While present in the Qur'an, ''sadaqah'' is less formally established than the sometimes similar practice of ''zakat'', and in many cultures this takes a form closer to gift-giving and generosity among friends than charity. I.e. no attempt is made to give more to guests "in need", nor is it a religious obligation. Among the Sundanese people, a boy who had been recently circumcised is given monetary gifts known as ''panyecep'' or ''uang sunatan''.

===Purple envelope=== The tradition of ''ang pao'' was adopted by local Indian Hindu populations of Singapore and Malaysia for Deepavali. They are known as ''Deepavali ang pow'' (in Malaysia), ''purple ang pow'' or simply ''ang pow'' (in Singapore).<ref>{{cite conference|url=http://design-cu.jp/iasdr2013/papers/1893-1b.pdf|last1=Siek|first1=Hwee Ling|author2=Tien-Li Chen|date=2013|title=Green Ang Pow and Purple Ang Pow in Malaysian Daily Life Practice|conference=5th International Congress of International Association of Societies of Design Research — IASDR 2013|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923220320/http://design-cu.jp/iasdr2013/papers/1893-1b.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Yellow colored envelopes for Deepavali were given in the past.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chinesenewyearlanterns.blogspot.com/2013/12/uses-of-ang-pow-among-different-races.html|title=Uses of "ang pow" among different races in Singapore|work=ChineseNewYearLanterns.blogspot.com|date=15 December 2013 |access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730093050/https://chinesenewyearlanterns.blogspot.com/2013/12/uses-of-ang-pow-among-different-races.html|archive-date=30 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Self-published source|date=February 2017}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Sources== * Chengan Sun, "[https://www.theses.fr/2011MNHN0002# Les enveloppes rouges : évolution et permanence des thèmes d'une image populaire chinoise]" [Red envelopes : evolution and permanence of the themes of a Chinese popular image], PhD, Paris, 2011. * Chengan Sun, ''Les enveloppes rouges'' (Le Moulin de l'Etoile, 2011) {{ISBN|978-2-915428-37-7}}. * Helen Wang, "[https://wordpress.com/view/chinesemoneymatters.wordpress.com Cultural Revolution Style Red Packets]", Chinese Money Matters, 15 May 2018.

==External links== {{Commons category|Red envelopes (gift)}} {{Wiktionary|red envelope|hongbao}} * [http://gohongkong.about.com/od/chinesenewyear/a/laisee.htm How to Give Lai See in Hong Kong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122223935/http://gohongkong.about.com/od/chinesenewyear/a/laisee.htm |date=22 January 2009 }} * [http://www.char4u.com/article_info.php?articles_id=68 Red Packet: Sign of Prosperity] * [http://stuarte.co/2014/chinese-new-year-red-envelopes/ Gallery: Chinese New Year Red Envelopes] * [http://www.redpacketsfactory.com/industry-news_nc6 Will The Paper Red Packet Be Replaced By An Electronic Red Envelope?] * [http://www.redpacketsfactory.com A red envelope with a collection of value-Lai See] * [http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?searchText=money+envelope Money envelopes in the British Museum Collection]

Category:Chinese culture Category:Chinese inventions Category:Chinese-Malaysian culture Category:Envelopes Category:Giving Category:Indian-Malaysian culture Category:Culture of Indonesia Category:Culture of Japan Category:Culture of Korea Category:Luck Category:Malay culture Category:Culture of Malaysia Category:Paper products Category:Culture of Singapore Category:Culture of Vietnam Category:Wedding gifts Category:Superstitions of China