The Chinese language zodiac has 12 animals, which take turns exerting affect over annually, all the time in the identical order. The snake holds sixth place within the cycle—the others, so as, are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, horse, sheep, cash, rooster, canine and pig. (In Vietnam, individuals have fun the cat as a substitute of the rabbit, and the buffalo as a substitute of the ox.)
In 2025, Chinese language New 12 months—celebrated extra broadly throughout East Asian and Southeast Asian communities as Lunar New 12 months—falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, kicking off two weeks of household gatherings, elaborate feasts, and the giving and receiving of “fortunate cash” in little purple envelopes.
When is fortunate cash given?
Fortunate cash envelopes—referred to as lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin—are given to kids and, in some locations, seniors within the first two weeks of the Lunar New 12 months, up till the primary full moon, a day referred to as the Spring Competition or Lantern Competition (in 2025, Feb. 12).
Usually, when you get married, it’s your flip handy out envelopes, and also you’ll obtain fewer your self. There aren’t any laborious and quick guidelines, although—single adults may also give lai see to youthful relations and associates’ kids, for instance. Individuals usually give fortunate cash to their service suppliers. My dad and mom carry purple envelopes for the servers at their common dim sum spot.
How a lot cash are we speaking about?
Earlier than I obtained married, I obtained $5 or $10 from every relative and $20 from every mum or dad for Chinese language New 12 months. Usually, the nearer your relationship is to the recipient, the extra fortunate cash you give. The quantity is much less essential than the spirit wherein the present is given—in Chinese language tradition, the color purple symbolizes happiness and good luck.
Fortunate cash can be given on particular events like birthdays, weddings, graduations and the delivery of a child. And the envelopes aren’t all the time purple—yow will discover every thing from cartoony rainbow variations to trendy gold ones. Canada’s massive banks usually give out packs of branded envelopes when prospects choose up crisp new payments for Lunar New 12 months (giving outdated, wrinkly money is taken into account poor etiquette). And in Asia, you’ll be able to ship digital “purple packets” by way of WeChat, AliPay, Tencent QQ and different monetary platforms.
What else to present for Chinese language New 12 months?
When visiting relations, many Chinese language households carry conventional new 12 months’s sweets and snacks. Oranges, clementines, pomelos and kumquats are additionally well-liked presents—they symbolize abundance, happiness and success.
Lunar New 12 months has change into extremely commercialized, even in international locations outdoors of Asia. My inbox is filled with emails from life-style and luxurious manufacturers selling 12 months of the Snake merchandise—every thing from purses and jewelry to beauty kits and Lego units, and everybody from Joe Recent to Swarovski is in on the motion. Dyson is even making Lunar New 12 months–themed hairstyling instruments, clad in purple and gold.