chinese new year, red envelope, red packet

Chinese New Year: Who and What Is a Red Envelope For?

One of the most important and well-known traditions of Chinese New Year is receiving a red envelope/red packet from your boss, parents, or relatives. Red envelopes are given to kids and elders to share the blessing. If you are the family breadwinner, you will prepare and hand out the red packets for both young and old. It ...

Emma Lu

Red envelopes for giving money to young people during the Chinese New Year.

The Symbolism of Plants and Flowers Displayed During Chinese Celebrations

The Chinese frequently use plants and flowers to celebrate the holidays, including Chinese New Year. For the Chinese, all plants and flowers are symbolic. What plants and flowers symbolize Lucky bamboo: symbol of safety and peace Lucky bamboo looks like bamboo, but it isn’t bamboo. The name is given because of its beautiful shape, and it’s ...

Audrey Wang

Lucky bamboo in a saucer on a table.

Start Chinese New Year Right: What NOT to Do

For thousands of years, Chinese New Year has been celebrated, marking a fresh new start. There are many traditions followed throughout the year to ensure good luck, good health, prosperity, harmony, and balance in your life. Things NOT to do to ensure a good year of the Tiger Don’t start the Chinese New Year with ...

Max Lu

Chinese New Year decorations, miniature dancing lion, and mandarin orange on red glitter background.

Happy Chinese New Year 2021 Despite Virus and Security Law in Hong Kong

A busy flower market. Lively chatting. “Gong xi fa cai” says one person to another, repeatedly. The formula echoes across the marketplace and the busy streets as people greet each other with the Happy Chinese New Year 2021 formula, which, when translated means: “Wishing you a prosperous New Year.” Chinese New Year 2021 A symbol ...

Hermann Rohr

People walking across the street in Hong Kong.

How Do Hongkongers Celebrate Chinese New Year? Hint: Flowers

We all like flowers, but for Hongkongers, flowers mean so much more. Especially on Chinese New Year’s Day, since giving flowers and potted plants as gifts is a very important tradition. Every year, lots of flower markets are held in different districts in Hong Kong for Chinese New Year. One of the most popular markets is in ...

Emma Lu

Blue orchids at the Chinese New Year flower market.

Nian: A Lunar New Year Story

There is a legend as to why during the Chinese New Year Festival doors are decorated with Chinese couplets on red paper, people wear red clothing, firecrackers are set off, and families make dumplings because of Nian. The legend started about 4,000 years ago, when there was a vicious monster known as Nian 年兽 (pronounced ...

Emma Lu

The Nian monster.

Fascinating Rituals and Customs Surrounding Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a traditional festival with a long history. It’s the most important holiday for Chinese people, and thus much attention has been paid to it since ancient times. Its preparation starts seven days before Chinese New Year’s Eve, from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. The activities and customs during the festival are ...

Emma Lu

Chinese dragon with lanterns and smoke from firecrackers in the background

As Chinese New Year Approaches, Learn Some Lunar Calendar History

The moon has been the source of legends and stories for thousands of years. It is the largest visible body in our night sky, but among all of its aesthetically pleasing qualities, the moon — together with the sun — has served as an important tool for timekeeping in Chinese history. And they still do today, especially for ...

Hermann Rohr

The moon phases for eight days.