“Everyday is a bank account and our currency is time”
Everyone knows what this red envelope is all about but not a lot of people know the legend behind its symbolic status. What is an “Ang pao” and how did Filipinos start giving them away? In this article, we will find out more information about this iconic red envelope.
While not everyone in the country has Chinese descent, a lot of us do have cultural practices according to Lunar New Year—popularly known as Chinese New Year for the general population and the giving of angpao. But where did this all start?
The Legend Behind It All
Giving away money isn’t exactly a Chinese cultural practice but there’s an interesting story behind the red envelope. Have you heard about the legend of the demon Sui who preys on sleeping, innocent children during the Lunar New Year.
In an attempt to keep their child safe, a couple tried to keep their son’s eyes awake the whole night. However, the son’s eyes continued to droop more, regardless of their efforts. To protect their sleeping son, the mother snuck eight gold coins in a red envelope, so when the demon came to attack the child, the eight gold coins were disguised as the Eight Legendary Immortals and ended up blinding the demon with its piercing light.
Color, Design, and Significance
The color red is traditionally a representative of good fortune, energy, and blessings. Wrapping money in this color means that you’re wishing the recipient of all of those to the one who accepts. Its design also has some importance; the decoration on the angpao can hold many different wishes you have for the recipient, such as a long life, good health, prosperity, and general good luck.
However, there are also a few things that need to be avoided when putting the red envelope together. Denominations with the number 4 must be avoided, because “4” means death in Chinese. Putting coins in the red envelope is a big no-no since heavy coins can cause its material to tear.
The Pao Giving
There are also rules for who receives red envelope and how much should it be given:
Historically, the main recipients of getting a red envelope are elderly parents with grown kids and young children. The elderly parents are supposed to receive more money as a sign of best wishes from their older children and young kids receive it from their parents and grandparents to wish them good luck for the year to come.
It’s Not Angpao Season All The Time
For people who are wealthy and live comfortably, the angpao season never stops. However, if you are not in a financial position to do so (don’t force it). It’s okay to give a smaller amount or hold out until next year. Not everyone can give as much as they want, it’s not strictly necessary anymore.
When someone gives you an angpao, show thanks to whoever gives it to you by trying your best in living incredibly. Give back those positive energies to people who absolutely deserve it and make them happy.
