February 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
By Yolanda Cornwall, BIWOC Co-Chairperson
Families are a beautiful thing, and I feel so blessed to call her my sister
She introduced us to Vietnamese culture, heritage, and traditions in such a meaningful way. One of my most cherished experiences was celebrating my first Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year).
One of my favorite traditions was buying red envelopes for my nephews. But why is this such an important custom? Let’s start with the history behind it.
The History of the Red Envelope
The tradition of giving red envelopes may have originated from a myth about a monster named Nian, who was afraid of the color red and loud noises. To ward off evil spirits, people began using red decorations and firecrackers. The custom of giving children money in red envelopes dates back to the Song and Yuan dynasties (960–1368). Over time, this practice became a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
Why Red?
The color red symbolizes good luck and protection from evil spirits. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the amount of money inside the envelope carries symbolic meaning. Even numbers are generally considered lucky—except for the number four. Why? Because in Chinese, the number four (sì) sounds like the word for death, making it unlucky.
Some lucky numbers include:
A lesson I learned: the closer someone is to your family, the more generous the gift should be.
Red Envelope Etiquette
I had no idea there were rules for giving and receiving red envelopes.
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It is not polite to open the envelope in front of the giver. (Lesson learned—I was just too excited!)
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The recipient should accept it with both hands as a sign of respect.
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It teaches children about etiquette and gratitude from a young age.
Interestingly, the red envelope tradition is not just Chinese — it is also common in Vietnamese (Lì xì), Korean (Saebaetdon), and other East Asian cultures.
My Favorite Part: The Food
My sister-in-law loves to cook, and one of my favorite Lunar New Year memories is making dumplings together as a family. Seeing my mom, my mother-in-law, and my nephews all gathered around the table, sharing in a beautiful tradition, is a memory I’ll cherish forever.
So, how did you celebrate this Lunar New Year?
Posted by the Unifor Local 2002 2002 BIWOC Committee
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25-02-17 Vietnamese Editorial by Yolanda Cornwall EN