RED   PACKET

The intention for giving of blessing and gift is univeral and a happy act which gives pleasure to both the

giver and the reciever. But when done practically it is difficult not to cause unpleasant feeling on the part

of both parties or either one of them.

The Chinese culture has evolved a means of avoiding this unnecessary unpleasantness and increased its good

wishes and protection and blessing. This is by means of giving Red Packet.

The red colour of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

China is a vast country and many variation of the same custome, so also Red envelopes or red packets ( In

Cantonese: lai sze or lai see) (利 是,, 利 市, or 利 事); (Mandarin: 'hóng bāo' (红包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao';

Red packets are also known as 壓 歲 錢/ (Ya Sui Qian, literally means, the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit )

During the New Year, the red envelope is the best and most popular way of making a gift , besides

- for a wedding,

- for giving as a birthday gift to a small child up to an unmarried adult

- even to pay off a debt with good wishes

- from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors

- In fact, it can be given at any time , even for not any specific occasion .

When the Red packets are given with right intention, they are a sign of blessing and auspicious to both the

givers and receivers.

During the Qing Dynasty, the elderly would thread coins with a red string. The money was called yāsuì qián: 利 市 or 利是 or 利事. The red colour of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits, sickness and death.

The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, as it is believed that: Odd and even numbers are determined by the first digit, rather than the last. Thus thirty and fifty are not considered inauspicious.

Odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. There is a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, as the pronunciation of the word "four" resembles that of the word "death", and it signifies bad luck.

At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newly weds.

In the northen part of China, just money without any cover are typically given to the unmarried by the married.

In Vietnam , red envelopes are called li xi or, in some cases, as happy new age envelope.

In Thailand, they are known as ang pow,And in Myanmar, formarly known as Burma, the ethnic Chinese called it as an-pao.

In South Korea, envelopes are called "sae bae ton" and the envelopes are white, not red.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, a monetary gift is given to children by their relatives during the Lunar

New Year period. However, the envelopes are white , with the name of the receiver written on its obverse. For Japanese weddings, the envelope is not sealed but folded, and decorated with an elaborate bow.

In Philippines, exchange ang pao, and in some places, the envelopes are also appropriated by non-Chinese in

giving monetary gifts on other occasions such as Christmas and birthdays.

We are certain that the year of the Tiger will bring the strength and spirit to all.

We wish everyone a prosperous Tiger year with the harmony, the joy of success and the spirit and power in

whatever you do.