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Chinese New Years-Red Envelopes giving

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Red envelopes givings are a fun part of Chinese New Year tradition in my opinion, mostly at family gatherings Lunar New Year or wedding. The red color of the envelope means good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

What goes in the Red envelopes? Usually money. The amount of money in the envelope usually ends with an even digit,such as 88 and 168 are both lucky numbers. But it is the tradition that money should not be given in "4"s, or the number four should not appear in the amount, such as 44 nor 444 as the sounding pronunciation of the word "four" resembles that of the word "death", and it signifies bad luck for many Chinese.

During the Lunar New Year, red envelopes are typically given by the married to the unmarried, most to young children.  It is traditional to put brand new money inside red envelopes, as well as to avoid opening the envelopes in front of the relatives to show respect.

Since it is Chinese New Year, we will be hanging out few Red Envelopes to others.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Posted by

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Eileen Hsu 許雅嵐 (email: EHSU(@)elliman.com)

Our team specialize in Manhattan New York Condominiums, townhouses, and condops.

We are condominium residents ourselves so we understand the Manhattan New York condominium community. We also enjoy all Manhattan neighborhoods, especially Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, Midtown East, Murray Hill, Financial District, Chelsea, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Nolita and etc just to name a few. If you or you know someone that may be interested in selling, buying or leasing their Manhattan New York condo, call us today (917)837-8869 or (646)644-6929 and we can discuss your specific Real Estate goals.

Manhattan New York Condo Specialists or Chinese Speaking Real Estate Agent

 

Comments (9)

Chandler Real Estate Liz Harris, MBA
Liz Harris Realty - Chandler, AZ
#ChandlerRealEstateAgent

Glad to learn the whole story behind the red envelopes... I have some of them myself!

Jan 22, 2012 02:47 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Kong Hey Fatt Choy, Eileen. I'm looking forward towards my son understanding this. Growing up, it was the thing I most look forward to during CNY, besides the new clothes/ shoes I get, of course.

Jan 22, 2012 02:49 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have one someone gave to me years ago.  They told me to place it under my phone at work with the coins still inside to make my phone ring.   I'm glad to know more about the tradition.

Jan 22, 2012 02:57 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

That sounds a like a very good tradition. Thanks for sharing this Eileen. Gong Xi Fa Cai 新年快. Have a blast. Cheers.

Jan 22, 2012 03:26 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Eileen, you just gave me an idea for the next time I write you a referal check. I hope that I do so in the very near future! 

Jan 22, 2012 03:58 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Oh, now that is cool. I knew about the #'s but I didn't know about the red color.  How very interesting.  Very rich looking with the gold.

Jan 22, 2012 10:53 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Eileen, Happy New Year hope you get lots of Red Envelopes bursting at the seam with money!

Jan 23, 2012 01:05 PM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

What a cool tradition Eileen.  I had never heard of that before.  And, how cool you are planning to give out lots of Red Envelopes.  It's so neat learning about other's traditions.  Kong Hey Fatt Choy (as I learned in Loreena's post)!  

Jan 29, 2012 02:02 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

When I was in Hong Kong I learned about the number 8 and I was amazed how many custom license plates had the number 8 associated with them. Then how much people were willing to pay for a lease in a building with the number 8 in it. The lease price for a shop with the number 8 in the address could be double those of other shops on the same street. 

 

Feb 01, 2012 04:50 AM