Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
The Lunar New Year is arriving soon in 2023, and this is always the happiest time for children. During the Spring Festival, children don't need to worry about studying or homework, and won't get punished by parents for misbehaving. What's more exciting is receiving lots of red envelopes from elders when paying New Year visits. With this "lucky money", children can buy whatever they want.
There have been many theories about the origin of red envelopes from ancient times to present in China. Some say it's for suppressing evil spirits, others believe it's for calming children's fright, and some say it brings good luck for children to safely pass each year. Let's look at the carefully compiled information on the origins and traditional meanings of red envelopes.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Origins of Red Envelopes
Originated in the Western Han dynasty as "suppressing victory money". They were minted but not circulated from the Western Han to late Qing dynasty. The obverse often had auspicious phrases like "long live for thousands of years" and lucky patterns like dragons, phoenixes, turtles, and snakes. They were ancient coins used as lucky charms or evil wards for children, mainly for suppressing evil and praying for blessings and celebration. “Suppressing victory money” also served as "bathing money" for newborns in their one-month celebration, later evolving into the Spring Festival "red envelope money".
There is a story about red envelopes. Legend has it an ancient demon called "Sui" with a black body and white hands came out every New Year's Eve to touch sleeping children's foreheads. After being touched, children would get a high fever and talk deliriously in their dreams. After the fever subsided, they would become possessed by "Sui".
A wealthy elderly couple treasured their hard-earned child. On New Year's Eve, to prevent theft, they wrapped and unwrapped coins again and again before bed, leaving eight copper coins wrapped in red paper by their pillow.
At midnight, a cold gust blew open the door, extinguishing lights. As the short black figure reached to touch the child's head with his white hand, a golden light suddenly flashed from the pillow, and "Sui" fled with a shriek. Thus "Sui" didn't dare disturb the child again. This spread quickly, and people followed suit, leaving coins wrapped in red paper by children's pillows on New Year's Eve to prevent "Sui" from coming. Thus people called it “suppressing demon money”. With “Sui” homophonous with “year” in Chinese, it eventually became known as “red envelope money”.
One origin relates to Tang dynasty palace customs. According to Wang Renyu's "Remnants of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Eras", Consorts and concubines in Tang Xuanzong’s Tianbao era “would gather in groups of three to five in spring to play a coin-tossing game in the palace”. Wang Jian's “Palace Poem” depicts “Working men laughing and shouting early on, oblivious to the floor-sweeping servants by the steps, begging to urgently borrow gold and coins, as if nowhere outside could match the palace’s riches”, and “Last night’s makeup still on this morning, waiting under the Zhaoyang flowers; freezing days but the inner chambers busy playing coin-tossing games, ready to give out gold and coins from the treasury.”
This shows the popularity of spring coin-scattering in Tang palaces. The “Zizhi Tongjian” records when Consort Yang gave birth, “Xuanzong personally went to see her and happily granted Yang bathing money in gold and silver coins.” Wang Jian's “Palace Poem” also describes “The consort's chambers have given birth for the first time, inner chambers scrambling to beg for bathing money.” Besides celebrating, bathing money for newborns was mainly a protective talisman against evil. The custom of gifting coins to newborns gradually spread from the palace to commoners, becoming an important folk custom by the Song dynasty.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
According to the historical work “Xu History”, during the reign of Song Shenzong, an incident occurred involving Wang Shao’s young son Nanchen in the Song capital Bianliang. On the night of the Spring Festival, Nanchen was enjoying the festive lantern displays on the streets with adults when he was suddenly abducted by a villain intending to extort money from his family. However, the wise and brave Nanchen encountered an imperial entourage on the villain’s escape and shouted for help. Afraid, the villain released Nanchen, who entered the palace and met Emperor Shenzong.
After hearing about the incident, Shenzong gifted Nanchen money to calm his fright. This spread from the Bianliang palace to commoners. People followed suit and gave children calming money during New Year’s in addition to firecrackers and goodies. This money was called “red envelope money”.
Over time, commoners nationwide adopted the custom of giving children red envelopes during Spring Festival, becoming one of China’s traditional New Year customs. The historical work “Qing Jia Lu” recorded elders giving children strung coins called “red envelope money” during the New Year, describing this ancient practice. But with societal developments, the meaning of red envelopes transformed from calming fright to auspicious New Year wishes.
Red envelopes signify the harmonious, celebratory Spring Festival mood between generations of a family.
Wu Manyun’s “Red Envelopes” poem describes “A hundred coins strung through red thread so long, divided up and tucked under pillows again, discussing firecrackers and flute prices, adding to the children’s busy excitement all night.” The custom of elders giving red envelopes to juniors still prevails, often used by children for books, supplies, and daily necessities, giving new meaning to this tradition.
In traditional society with familial bonds and lifestyles, “seniority order” was valued, and elders were revered. During festive Spring Festival, juniors would kowtow to elders conveying respect and blessings, while elders gave juniors varying amounts of red envelope money to show care and affection. The giving and receiving was like a lively skit expressing the shared joy of holidays.
Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Suppressing “Sui”
Legend has it an ancient demon called “Sui” with a black body and white hands came out on the 30th night each year to harm people. It would touch sleeping children's heads, frightening them into crying and feverish delirium, turning clever children into mad fools after several days once the fever receded. People stayed up all night on New Year's Eve to avoid this harm to children, known as “defending against Sui”.
In Jiaxing prefecture, an elderly couple finally had a precious child. On New Year’s Eve, fearing Sui would harm their child, they played with him. The child wrapped eight copper coins in red paper, unwrapping and rewrapping until falling asleep with the wrapped coins by his pillow. The couple dared not shut their eyes, keeping vigil beside the child all night to defend against Sui.
At midnight, a huge gust of wind blew open the door, extinguishing lights. As the short black figure reached to touch the child’s head with his white hand, a bright flash suddenly cracked from the pillow, and Sui hastily recoiled his hand with a shriek before fleeing. The couple told others about scaring Sui away by wrapping eight copper coins in red paper by their child’s pillow.
Everyone else followed suit, giving children eight coins wrapped in red paper by their pillows on New Year's Eve. Indeed, Sui never dared disturb children again after that. It turned out the eight coins were from the Eight Immortals discreetly helping the child scare Sui away, so people called it “Sui-suppressing money”. With “Sui” homophonous with “year”, it gradually became known as “red envelope money”.
Children get “Sui-suppressing money”, elders get true “red envelope money”, hoping to suppress their age and live longer.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Calming fright
Another origin refers to ancient “fright-calming”. Legend says an ancient beast called “Year” came out on the 365th night each year to harm people, crops, and livestock. Children were scared, while adults lit firecrackers to drive “Year” away and soothe children, known as “calming fright”.
Over long periods, food was replaced with money, evidenced by historical “fright-calming money” since the Song dynasty. Records state Wang Shao’s son Nanchen was abducted but saved after shouting on the journey, and Song Shenzong granted him “gold犀 coin to calm fright”. This later evolved into “red envelope money”.
Warding off evil
Chinese folk belief holds that giving children red envelope money can bribe evil ghosts, demons, and “Year” to transform misfortune into good fortune.
Even formal records like “Zizhi Tongjian” prove the role of red envelopes. Volume 26 describes when Consort Yang gave birth, “Xuanzong personally went to see her and happily granted Yang bathing money in gold and silver coins.” The “bathing money” here served not just celebratory purposes, but more importantly giving the son a protective talisman against evil and demons.
Historical evidence shows the main purpose of elders wrapping red envelopes for juniors during holidays from the Han to late Qing dynasties resembled Tang Xuanzong’s gifting of “bathing money” - warding off evil.
Of course, Qin Shihuang’s copper coins were the most powerful, dominating for over 2000 years. Their popularity relates to the “round heaven and square earth” design derived from the “Book of Changes” principle of “Taiji gives birth to two polarities, two polarities give birth to four images...”. This shows money was imbued with “mystical” and “magical” qualities from the beginning. Using coins to “ward off evil, cure sickness, and exorcise demons” made perfect sense.
In summary, there are so many unexpected origins and meanings behind red envelopes from ancient to modern times. Originating in the Western Han dynasty, they were minted but not circulated from then until the late Qing dynasty, initially worn by children as decorative ancient charms. Passed down to today, they have become the red packets elders give children during Spring Festival. Though some changes occurred over time, the meanings behind red envelopes have remained positive - prayers for the health and safety of juniors. I hope this information on the origins and traditional meanings of red envelopes helps everyone understand them deeply.
The Lunar New Year is arriving soon in 2023, and this is always the happiest time for children. During the Spring Festival, children don't need to worry about studying or homework, and won't get punished by parents for misbehaving. What's more exciting is receiving lots of red envelopes from elders when paying New Year visits. With this "lucky money", children can buy whatever they want.
There have been many theories about the origin of red envelopes from ancient times to present in China. Some say it's for suppressing evil spirits, others believe it's for calming children's fright, and some say it brings good luck for children to safely pass each year. Let's look at the carefully compiled information on the origins and traditional meanings of red envelopes.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Origins of Red Envelopes
Originated in the Western Han dynasty as "suppressing victory money". They were minted but not circulated from the Western Han to late Qing dynasty. The obverse often had auspicious phrases like "long live for thousands of years" and lucky patterns like dragons, phoenixes, turtles, and snakes. They were ancient coins used as lucky charms or evil wards for children, mainly for suppressing evil and praying for blessings and celebration. “Suppressing victory money” also served as "bathing money" for newborns in their one-month celebration, later evolving into the Spring Festival "red envelope money".
There is a story about red envelopes. Legend has it an ancient demon called "Sui" with a black body and white hands came out every New Year's Eve to touch sleeping children's foreheads. After being touched, children would get a high fever and talk deliriously in their dreams. After the fever subsided, they would become possessed by "Sui".
A wealthy elderly couple treasured their hard-earned child. On New Year's Eve, to prevent theft, they wrapped and unwrapped coins again and again before bed, leaving eight copper coins wrapped in red paper by their pillow.
At midnight, a cold gust blew open the door, extinguishing lights. As the short black figure reached to touch the child's head with his white hand, a golden light suddenly flashed from the pillow, and "Sui" fled with a shriek. Thus "Sui" didn't dare disturb the child again. This spread quickly, and people followed suit, leaving coins wrapped in red paper by children's pillows on New Year's Eve to prevent "Sui" from coming. Thus people called it “suppressing demon money”. With “Sui” homophonous with “year” in Chinese, it eventually became known as “red envelope money”.
One origin relates to Tang dynasty palace customs. According to Wang Renyu's "Remnants of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Eras", Consorts and concubines in Tang Xuanzong’s Tianbao era “would gather in groups of three to five in spring to play a coin-tossing game in the palace”. Wang Jian's “Palace Poem” depicts “Working men laughing and shouting early on, oblivious to the floor-sweeping servants by the steps, begging to urgently borrow gold and coins, as if nowhere outside could match the palace’s riches”, and “Last night’s makeup still on this morning, waiting under the Zhaoyang flowers; freezing days but the inner chambers busy playing coin-tossing games, ready to give out gold and coins from the treasury.”
This shows the popularity of spring coin-scattering in Tang palaces. The “Zizhi Tongjian” records when Consort Yang gave birth, “Xuanzong personally went to see her and happily granted Yang bathing money in gold and silver coins.” Wang Jian's “Palace Poem” also describes “The consort's chambers have given birth for the first time, inner chambers scrambling to beg for bathing money.” Besides celebrating, bathing money for newborns was mainly a protective talisman against evil. The custom of gifting coins to newborns gradually spread from the palace to commoners, becoming an important folk custom by the Song dynasty.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
According to the historical work “Xu History”, during the reign of Song Shenzong, an incident occurred involving Wang Shao’s young son Nanchen in the Song capital Bianliang. On the night of the Spring Festival, Nanchen was enjoying the festive lantern displays on the streets with adults when he was suddenly abducted by a villain intending to extort money from his family. However, the wise and brave Nanchen encountered an imperial entourage on the villain’s escape and shouted for help. Afraid, the villain released Nanchen, who entered the palace and met Emperor Shenzong.
After hearing about the incident, Shenzong gifted Nanchen money to calm his fright. This spread from the Bianliang palace to commoners. People followed suit and gave children calming money during New Year’s in addition to firecrackers and goodies. This money was called “red envelope money”.
Over time, commoners nationwide adopted the custom of giving children red envelopes during Spring Festival, becoming one of China’s traditional New Year customs. The historical work “Qing Jia Lu” recorded elders giving children strung coins called “red envelope money” during the New Year, describing this ancient practice. But with societal developments, the meaning of red envelopes transformed from calming fright to auspicious New Year wishes.
Red envelopes signify the harmonious, celebratory Spring Festival mood between generations of a family.
Wu Manyun’s “Red Envelopes” poem describes “A hundred coins strung through red thread so long, divided up and tucked under pillows again, discussing firecrackers and flute prices, adding to the children’s busy excitement all night.” The custom of elders giving red envelopes to juniors still prevails, often used by children for books, supplies, and daily necessities, giving new meaning to this tradition.
In traditional society with familial bonds and lifestyles, “seniority order” was valued, and elders were revered. During festive Spring Festival, juniors would kowtow to elders conveying respect and blessings, while elders gave juniors varying amounts of red envelope money to show care and affection. The giving and receiving was like a lively skit expressing the shared joy of holidays.
Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Suppressing “Sui”
Legend has it an ancient demon called “Sui” with a black body and white hands came out on the 30th night each year to harm people. It would touch sleeping children's heads, frightening them into crying and feverish delirium, turning clever children into mad fools after several days once the fever receded. People stayed up all night on New Year's Eve to avoid this harm to children, known as “defending against Sui”.
In Jiaxing prefecture, an elderly couple finally had a precious child. On New Year’s Eve, fearing Sui would harm their child, they played with him. The child wrapped eight copper coins in red paper, unwrapping and rewrapping until falling asleep with the wrapped coins by his pillow. The couple dared not shut their eyes, keeping vigil beside the child all night to defend against Sui.
At midnight, a huge gust of wind blew open the door, extinguishing lights. As the short black figure reached to touch the child’s head with his white hand, a bright flash suddenly cracked from the pillow, and Sui hastily recoiled his hand with a shriek before fleeing. The couple told others about scaring Sui away by wrapping eight copper coins in red paper by their child’s pillow.
Everyone else followed suit, giving children eight coins wrapped in red paper by their pillows on New Year's Eve. Indeed, Sui never dared disturb children again after that. It turned out the eight coins were from the Eight Immortals discreetly helping the child scare Sui away, so people called it “Sui-suppressing money”. With “Sui” homophonous with “year”, it gradually became known as “red envelope money”.
Children get “Sui-suppressing money”, elders get true “red envelope money”, hoping to suppress their age and live longer.
Receiving Red Envelopes Every Year, I Only Found Out Today About Their True Origin
Origins and Traditional Meanings of Red Envelopes
Calming fright
Another origin refers to ancient “fright-calming”. Legend says an ancient beast called “Year” came out on the 365th night each year to harm people, crops, and livestock. Children were scared, while adults lit firecrackers to drive “Year” away and soothe children, known as “calming fright”.
Over long periods, food was replaced with money, evidenced by historical “fright-calming money” since the Song dynasty. Records state Wang Shao’s son Nanchen was abducted but saved after shouting on the journey, and Song Shenzong granted him “gold犀 coin to calm fright”. This later evolved into “red envelope money”.
Warding off evil
Chinese folk belief holds that giving children red envelope money can bribe evil ghosts, demons, and “Year” to transform misfortune into good fortune.
Even formal records like “Zizhi Tongjian” prove the role of red envelopes. Volume 26 describes when Consort Yang gave birth, “Xuanzong personally went to see her and happily granted Yang bathing money in gold and silver coins.” The “bathing money” here served not just celebratory purposes, but more importantly giving the son a protective talisman against evil and demons.
Historical evidence shows the main purpose of elders wrapping red envelopes for juniors during holidays from the Han to late Qing dynasties resembled Tang Xuanzong’s gifting of “bathing money” - warding off evil.
Of course, Qin Shihuang’s copper coins were the most powerful, dominating for over 2000 years. Their popularity relates to the “round heaven and square earth” design derived from the “Book of Changes” principle of “Taiji gives birth to two polarities, two polarities give birth to four images...”. This shows money was imbued with “mystical” and “magical” qualities from the beginning. Using coins to “ward off evil, cure sickness, and exorcise demons” made perfect sense.
In summary, there are so many unexpected origins and meanings behind red envelopes from ancient to modern times. Originating in the Western Han dynasty, they were minted but not circulated from then until the late Qing dynasty, initially worn by children as decorative ancient charms. Passed down to today, they have become the red packets elders give children during Spring Festival. Though some changes occurred over time, the meanings behind red envelopes have remained positive - prayers for the health and safety of juniors. I hope this information on the origins and traditional meanings of red envelopes helps everyone understand them deeply.
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