The origin of the custom of celebrating the new year (lucky money) at the beginning of the new year
Lucky money is the name of the custom during the Lunar New Year in Asian countries and Vietnam, which is the custom of placing money in a small envelope decorated with bright red or yellow to celebrate the age of children.
The custom of giving lucky money at the beginning of the new year has existed since ancient times, originating in China. Legend has it that there is a demon that appears on New Year’s Eve, likes to rub the heads of sleeping children, causing them to have high fevers or become silly. Therefore, families with small children have to stay up all night to keep watch from the demon harming their children.
Once, 8 fairies passing by saw this and turned into coins lying next to the children, their parents also wrapped these coins in a red cloth to scare away the demon. Unexpectedly, the miracle was actually useful. When the monster came, the flashing coins scared it to run away.
This story quickly spread throughout the world. Since then, every New Year’s Eve, people put money in red bags to give to children, so that they can grow up quickly and be healthy, and that action is lucky money, also known as New Year’s Eve.
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The meaning of the custom of giving lucky money on New Year’s Day
New Year’s lucky money is a good cultural custom of Vietnamese people with the wish that good luck will come from the first days of the new year.
Lucky money is not only limited to the first day of Tet, but can be given throughout the first three days of the year, even extending to the ninth and tenth days of the New Year.
According to Vietnamese custom, on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, everyone in the family will gather together to have a meal and wish each other good wishes, then go to each family together to wish Tet.
On this day, parents and grandparents celebrate the age of their children and grandchildren, and children and grandchildren wish their parents, grandparents, friends, and close people happy for each other.
When the descendants of relatives as well as the children of friends, if they are still young, when they come to the house, they are all given money to celebrate their age, more or less depending on the situation. On the contrary, guests also celebrate the age of the host’s young children.
According to folklore, here are the taboos in New Year’s lucky money, you need to understand so as not to bring bad luck to yourself and the recipient.
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| New Year’s lucky money is a good cultural custom of Vietnamese people with the hope that good things will come from the first days of the new year (Artwork). |
Red envelopes should have an even amount
The amount of money in a lucky money envelope should be an even number rather than an odd number, because an even number represents the yang realm, bringing a lot of luck, happiness and good fortune.
However, in even numbers, New Year’s lucky money needs to avoid 4 such as 40,000, 400 thousand. Because according to folklore, the number 4 reads as “four” which is similar to “death”, so people are very apprehensive about this number.
Do not use old red envelopes
New Year is a new beginning, so to bring good luck to children, it is best to prepare fresh red envelopes. Do not take advantage of old, used or unused red packets from last year.
Stuff new money in red envelopes
New money means that this year will receive lucky and new things, so when choosing money to celebrate the new year, you should choose the latest coins to put in the red envelope.
Do not open lucky money in front of the giver
In Asian culture, it is impolite to open a red envelope in front of the giver, and it can even blow away the good fortune and return the recipient’s luck. However, there are still people who are willing to open red packets right in front of them and judge how much money they receive. This is not advisable and makes the giver feel embarrassed.
No extra lucky money
During the Lunar New Year, parents should teach their children not to ask for more money if they see the amount in the red packet is too small. Because it is disrespectful to ask for more money from adults, along with it is to lose the traditional meaning of the New Year’s red envelopes.