Chinese Vegetarian Recipe - Healthy & Natural Vegetarian Recipe: The Chinese Way!

"The Red Packet Tradition In
The Chinese New Year"

From: The Desktop of Janice Hoo

Dear Subscriber,

In another 2 weeks time, Chinese all over the world will be welcoming their new year - the Year of Pig.

Yes, on the 18 February 2007 - it's the 1st day of the 1st moon.

There are many rich traditions associated with the Chinese New Year.

One of them is the giving of Red Packet, or better known as 'Hong Bao'

On the morning of the first day, the senior will be distributing small little red packets or envelopes, with some amount of money in it.

Children Love Red Packets!

Children, in particular will love this!

Well, even young un-married adult still qualifies to receive the Red Packet.

Huh? Serious?

Yup, as long as you're not married, you considered a 'child' in the eyes of the senior.

Of course, senior are those who are already married.

It Comes From 'Ya Shui Qian'...

This tradition started from the 'Ya Shui Qian'.

Ya Shui Qian was usually given at the eve of the new year, and placed under the child's pillow, or at the foot of the bed.

This was to ensure that the child would be 'safe' from the evil creatures, or the legendary 'Nian', which was said to roam the villages in search of victim at the Eve of Chinese New Year. The 'money' is said as the 'bribe' to ensure the child's safety.

Ya Shui Qian at that time was given with a red string tied through the center holes of the coins. As the legend stated, 'Nian' were scared of anything red. The red string served as the purpose of safeguarding the child.

However, the olden days coins with a hole is the center is no longer used, Ya Shui Qian is now wrapped with red paper.

Incidentally, Hong Bao can also means wrapped in red.

As this tradition grows, and to make it easier for the Chinese to 'wrap' this Ya Shui Qian, ready-made red packet or envelope is used.

Hence the more popular term 'Hong Bao' is used, compared to Ya Shui Qian.

Nowadays, it is not necessarily given by only the senior.

It Is Very Common Now...

The definition of 'senior' is wider and more encompassing, e.g. a department head can give Red Packet to his or her staff etc.

In this sense, the head is more senior than the rest irregardless of his or her age or whether they are married.

In Hong Kong, it is said that giving 'Hong Bao' or in the local term, 'Lay See' does not restrict to friends or relatives. Even a stranger on the street who give you New Year wishes, is entitled to receive a 'Lay See' from you. Even if you're not a 'senior'!

Well, with all that said, I'll be looking forward to receiving my share of Red Packet when the Chinese New Year arrives. (*smile*)

And oh, one more thing - I'm planning to give away Red Packets too, even though I'm not a 'senior' yet.

How am I going to give away Red Packets?

Well, stay on. I'm preparing for it now.

Your Red Packet Is Coming...

In the next few days, you'll receive an email from me with the subject "Your Red Packet" - open it and read it quickly. It's your share of Red Packet! (*smile*)

So, look out for my coming email, and for now, I'd like to wish you "Happy Chinese New Year"!

Your friend,

Janice Hoo

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