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Austin Zhang

It is a long-standing Chinese tradition during the Lunar New Year to give out red packets, also known as lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin.
Usually handed out in pairs and containing money, these paper envelopes are accompanied by greetings such as kung hei fat choi (in Cantonese) or gong1 xi3 fa1 cai2 (in Mandarin) to give everyone an auspicious start to the new year.
The red colour of the packets symbolises good luck and prosperity and the amount of money inside usually ends in an even number, which is considered more auspicious.
Red packets are not just given out during Lunar New Year but also on other special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.

As early as China’s Han dynasty (206BC-AD220), red packets were used to ward off evil spirits. As time progressed, adults used them to offer good wishes to their children and other young people.
Today the practice has evolved to include well-wishing in the form of digital payments.
How did digital red packets come about?
In mainland China, digital hong bao became one of the most popular ways for people to send blessings to each other after social media platform WeChat launched its digital red packet function in 2014.
The activity really blew up the following year during the CCTV New Year’s Gala, China’s most-watched show, when random cash rewards were given out to audience members in the form of digital red packets. This single exhibition of the function saw 200 million WeChat users connect their bank accounts to the social media app, the Global Times reported.
Since then, more technology companies have launched digital red packet functions, making the sending of e-lai see a mainstream activity.

In Hong Kong, digital red packets are also becoming more popular.
According to data released by Tencent Hong Kong in 2024, the number of times e-lai see were sent between February 9 and 13 (Lunar New Year’s Eve to Lunar New Year’s day four) and the number of users doing so both more than doubled from 2023.
Why have digital red packets become so popular?
Sending digital red packets is extremely convenient and also more environmentally friendly, while still adhering to Chinese cultural traditions.
In Hong Kong, environmental group Greeners Action estimated that 320 million paper red packets were given out in 2023 – equivalent to roughly 16,300 trees.

You can also play lottery-like mini-games by sending a red packet to a group chat with multiple users. The chance, or RNG (random number generation), mechanism means some users may “grab” up to 90 per cent of the amount, while others get as little as 1 per cent.
Will traditional red packets eventually get phased out?
Despite the changes brought about by new digital methods, many people still prefer the physical paper versions.
“I enjoy the process of [using paper] red packets – it is a traditional culture and has a better [vibe],” posted one user on the Chinese social media platform RedNote, also known as or Xiaohongshu. “Even though I use the digital version more these days, I still take out some money during the Chinese New Year and give them to children and neighbours.”
Another RedNote user said that in addition to cultural significance, traditional red packets are also safer, because digital red packets can easily be used for scams.
“Some old members in my family have encountered such situations. When they clicked into a so-called ‘free red packets’ activity, they were asked to enter their bank card account to receive a large amount of benefits, which I think is very dangerous for elderly and child users.”


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Chinese culture

Why Chinese give red packets at Lunar New Year and the rise of digital versions

The red colour of lai see symbolises good luck and prosperity, and the amount of money inside usually ends in an even number, which is considered more auspicious. Photo: Shutterstock

Sending digital red packets is becoming more popular in China. Photo: Shutterstock

WeChat was the first company to launch a digital red packet function. Photo: WeChat 

Many people still prefer to send paper red packets rather than digital ones because of the cultural significance. Photo: Shutterstock

How the red Chinese candy box bestows blessings of luck and wealth during Lunar New Year

A traditional chuen hup usually has eight compartments, and the snacks within are collectively called the “Eight Sweets”. 
The typical line-up – all candied – consists of lotus root, lotus seeds, water chestnuts, winter melon, carrot slices, kumquat, coconut shreds and coconut wedges. Photo: Shutterstock

Modern chuen hup tend to contain other treats to cater to people’s preferences, including nuts and wrapped confectionery. Photo: Getty Images

While many modern chuen hup are more flexible and fashionable than their traditional counterparts, the spirit of togetherness remains unchanged. Photo: Shutterstock

Candied seeds are a common component of a chuen hup. Photo: Shutterstock

Best Chinese New Year pudding discounts in Hong Kong to help your shopping

Assorted Puddings Photo: Yue (Tung Chung)

Chinese New Year 2025 puddings from Cordis include turnip pudding - made with locally grown turnips from a farm in Fanling - and sweet puddings with coconut, and coconut and red date. Photo: Cordis

Hong Kong Cuisine 1983’s turnip pudding with conpoy and smoked preserved meats. Photo: Hong Kong Cuisine 1983

Assorted puddings from Yue. Photo: Yue (Tung Chung)

Assorted puddings from Regal Hong Kong. Photo: Regal Hong Kong

Assorted puddings from the Mandarin Cake Shop. Photo: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Conrad’s classic Chinese New Year turnip and coconut puddings. Photo: Conrad

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for 12 zodiac signs. How is your health, luck, wealth?

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha predicts the varying fortunes of people born under the 12 Chinese zodiac signs in the coming Year of the Snake. Illustrations: Victor Sanjinez

Born in a Year of the Snake? Your zodiac conflicts with coming lunar year’s guardian deity

The Hock Kung snake temple in Selangor, Malaysia. In the coming Year of the Snake, certain people’s zodiac signs, including Snake, will be in conflict with the tai sui, or guardian deity, and precautions need taking. Photo: Shutterstock

Snakes need to be careful in the Year of the Snake, as theirs is one of the Chinese zodiac signs in conflict with the tai sui, or guardian deity. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez 

To appease the guardian deity, Snakes should make an offering at a temple, such as this one in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Shutterstock

Snakes should avoid high-risk activities, especially those that involve water such as water skiing. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Family & Relationships

Culture

Year of the Snake 2025: predictions, facts, myths and feng shui

The root words of the English snake and serpent mean “a creeping thing”, and most sayings that incorporate snake have a negative meaning, including the Singapore English “eat snake”. Photo: Shutterstock

The Slytherin logo is seen on cups in the store of a touring Harry exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

A 16th century Flemish engraving depicts men setting fire to undergrowth in which snakes are trapped. Photo: Getty Images

A banded krait, a snake native to Hong Kong. The name krait is borrowed from Hindi. Photo: Shutterstock

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac? Snakes have 3; how to find success with them

Tigers are one of the Snake’s three “enemy signs” in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake and Tiger can be a challenging combination in both love and business, with relationships often full of conflict. Photo: Shutterstock

The Year of the Snake 2025 is not predicted to be a good one for Snakes, according to Chinese geomancy, who will experience unstable luck and relationship challenges. Photo: Shutterstock

Monkeys have a difficult time cooperating with Snakes in professional settings. Photo: Shutterstock

The relationship between Snakes and Pigs is considered one of the most challenging in the Chinese zodiac. Photo: Shutterstock

In Year of the Snake 2025, is bad luck predicted for you? 5 ways to change your fortunes

Every year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, some zodiac signs clash with the guardian deity, bringing bad luck to people born under those signs. But there are things they can do to improve their luck. Photo: Getty Images

Chinese people like to learn their future by visiting a fortune-teller. If bad luck awaits some in the Year of the Snake, there are steps they can take to improve their prospects. Photo: Shutterstock

Performing a ritual at a temple that grants you a protective talisman is one way to mitigate bad luck resulting from a clash between your zodiac sign and the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Women’s red underwear. Wearing red undergarments is believed to improve luck. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing an amulet of another zodiac sign can ward off bad luck. In the Year of the Snake, a rooster amulet will help those born in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Rats, from lucky colour to health and wealth

In the coming Year of the Snake, white is the lucky colour for people born in Year of the Rat. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, people born in a Year of the Rat can expect good health but risks to their wealth. What else awaits them according to Chinese geomancy? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

White is the lucky colour for Rats in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this White jumpsuit by Galvan, availabel from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Those born under the sign of the Rat have strong luck in love. Photo: Shutterstock

It is time to start focusing on well-being and dropping bad lifestyle habits. Photo: Shutterstock

How Hong Kong Lunar New Year lai see red packet designs blend tradition and innovation

Lai see envelopes created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet. Its founder explains how it balances tradition and modernity in its designs for them. Photo: Kylie Knott

Malou Ko is the founder of Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet, which has created lai see envelopes for corporate clients. Photo: Kylie Knott

The Cabinet designed red packets in 2020 for the Sheraton hotel chain that included the brand’s logo. Brand alignment is important, says The Cabinet’s founder Malou Ko. Photo: The Cabinet

A lai see packet created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet that was inspired by the boxes containing oranges that are sold in supermarkets at Lunar New Year. Photo: The Cabinet

The Cabinet designed lai see packets in 2023 for Hong Kong lifestyle brand Yuu including a scratch-off section that revealed a discount code for various retailers in the city. Photo: The Cabinet

An evergreen lai see packet with lanterns from The Lion Rock Press can be used every year. Photo: The Lion Rock Press

Food mistakes to avoid over Lunar New Year holiday, from eating congee to chopping chicken

People in Chengdu, southwest China, enjoy a Lunar New Year feast. There are auspicious foods to eat during the festival, and others you should avoid if you want good fortune in the new lunar year. Photo: Getty Images

Congee’s association with thriftiness and poverty makes it an inauspicious food to eat during Chinese new year celebrations. Photo: Shutterstock

According to Buddhist principles, diners should avoid eating meat on the first and 15th days of the Lunar New Year holiday, so the barbecued pork this woman is eating with a bowl of noodles would be a no-no. Photo: Shutterstock

Do not chop meat on Lunar New Year’s day. According to Chinese tradition, using sharp objects then symbolises cutting the thread of good luck for the year ahead. Photo: Shutterstock

A plump whole fish is a common sight on dining tables over Lunar New Year. Tradition-minded diners will leave the head and tail untouched so they will always have enough to eat in the coming lunar year. Photo: Shutterstock

Whether you use a bucket or other receptacle to store rice, make sure it is full to the brim at Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Tigers should take precautions in Year of the Snake with conflict in the stars

A tiger bestrides Shanghai’s Yuuan Garden during the Lantern Festival in 2022. Tigers in the Year of the Snake face strife on the health and home fronts, but can take steps to mitigate their bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Tigers are in conflict with the guardian deity in the Year of the Snake, affecting their health and home life especially. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The conflict with the guardian deity will negatively affect Tigers’ relationships at work this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Single Tigers will unlucky in love in the Year of the Snake because of their clash with the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Why there are fewer babies born in the Year of the Snake, and what it means

A family where the lucky colour red for Lunar New Year. Fewer babies are born in the Year of the Snake, with many parents believing they will be unlucky. Photo: Shutterstock

A lighting installation at Beijing’s Wenyuhe Park to welcome the coming Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

A serpent-shaped light installation in Nanjing, Jiangsu, eastern China to mark the Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

Year of the Snake predictions for Pigs, from love and health to career and wealth

Pigs oppose the ‘tai sui’ (guardian deity) this year and may face bad luck, but there are ways to improve your prospects. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Travel should be in the plans of Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, to avoid the effects of some inauspicious stars according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration; Victor Sanjinez

Pink is the lucky colour for Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this dress by Zimmermann, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Married couples may be prone to constant arguments with each other, and should start or expand their family. Photo: Shutterstock

Pigs should engage in some light renovation or replace old furniture to refresh the energy at home. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Year of the Snake is cursed for Snakes, and how to appease deities to avoid bad luck

The Year of the Snake is bad for Snakes. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing red during the year of the Chinese zodiac sign you were born under is one of the ways to prevent bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

A guardian deity inside of a Chinese temple. According to Chinese geomancy, those born in the Year of the Snake may face misfortune this coming year. Photo: Getty Images

Some set up a shrine at home dedicated to the tai sui to ask for forgiveness and protection against bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Naga, the King of Serpents, is widely worshipped, especially in Southeast Asia. He represents both good and evil. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing jade jewellery can be another way to prevent misfortune during your ben ming nian, as the stone is believed to bring longevity, and have mystical powers. Photo: Shutterstock

Positioning is key when reorganising your home to bring good fortune. It pays to consult a feng shui expert before doing so. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Dogs, from lucky colour to money and romance

The Year of the Snake will bring good luck for Dogs. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, Dogs can expect good financial and romantic luck according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez 

The lucky colour for Dogs in 2025’s Year of the Snake is green, as seen in this dress by Faithfull, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Why do people born in the Year of the Snake make good lovers, friends and colleagues?

People born in the Year of the Snake are caring friends – once you break the ice. They are also romantic lovers and also one of the best colleagues to have in a crisis. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha at her office in San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The independent Snake is very good at networking, Tong says. Photo: Jonathan Wong

People who are born in the Year of the Snake are very enterprising. Illustration: Adolfo Arranz

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Monkeys, from lucky colour to a big career boost

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, Monkeys can expect career advancements, according to Chinese geomancy, but trouble on some fronts. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The Monkey’s lucky colour for 2025’s Year of the Snake is red, as seen in this Solace London dress available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Those born in the Year of the Monkey will enjoy a lot of career development this year. Photo: Shutterstock

This year, married Monkeys will be affected by a menacing star that will leave them prone to emotional changes. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why the Year of the Wood Snake starting in 2025 could bring major change, and more luck

A snake at a farm in Bangkok, Thailand. The next lunar new year will be a Year of the Wood Snake, which comes around every 60 years. The previous one, in 1965, saw dynamic change and upheaval. Are we in for more of the same? Photo: Getty Images

Snakes made of palm leaves are displayed in Shanghai to celebrate the previous Year of the Snake in 2013. Photo: Getty Images

Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, people line up to vote, most for the first time, in Alabama in the US in 1966. Photo: Getty Images

Angry depositors protest and clash with police outside the office of the chairman of the Canton Trust and Commercial Bank in 1965, the previous Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Photo: Chan Kiu

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Sheep, unlucky in love but money prospects good

Things will go well for Sheep who are married or in a stable relationship in the Year of the Snake. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

How lucky will Sheep be in 2025’s Year of the Snake? Find out. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The lucky colour for Sheep in the Year of the Snake is khaki, as seen in this dress by Isabel Marant available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Sheep will need to be prepared if they are thinking about switching careers, changing jobs or starting a business. Photo: Shutterstock

Things will go well for Sheep who are married or in a stable relationship. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

10 snake-themed Chinese-language movies that charm us, from erotica to horror to animation

A still from Anaconda (2024), one of our picks of the best Chinese snake movies.

A still from White Snake (2019), one of 10 Chinese-language films featuring snakes that we think make perfect viewing with the Year of the Snake coming.

A promotional poster for The Snake Girl (1974).

A promotional poster for Snake Beauty (1994).

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Roosters, from lucky colour to lots of wealth, love

According to Chinese geomancy, Roosters can expect easy money in 2025’s Year of the Snake. Find out what is in store for them on the health, wealth and romance fronts. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Roosters’ lucky colour for 2025’s Year of Snake is purple, as seen in this Solace London dress from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

With the help of the tai sui, this will be a healthy year for Roosters. Photo: Shutterstock

7 snake idioms to ring in the Year of the Snake, including one about being two-faced

Why would legs drawn on a snake mean something is ruined? What does a bow’s shadow have to do with reptiles? Seven snake idioms and their meanings. Photo: Shutterstock

One idiom refers to drawing legs on a snake – in other words, making unnecessary changes to something. Snakes do not have legs. Those are called lizards (pictured: an iguana). Photo: Shutterstock

A snake and dragon statuette with Chinese coins and a pyramid. One idiom referring to snakes and dragons is used in association with spaces where both good and bad people can be found. Photo: Shutterstock

A golden Buddha statue in Thailand. A Chinese idiom refers to a person who has the words of the Buddha but the intention of a snake. Photo: Getty Images

An illustration of a giant snake killing an elephant, similar to a Chinese idiom that describes a snake trying to swallow an elephant – meaning a person who is never content. Photo: YouTube

An idiom that refer to being scared of rope after being bitten by a snake is like the English proverb “once bitten, twice shy”. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Horses, including lucky colour and love prospects

The Year of the Snake will be an auspicious one for Horses. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The Year of the Snake will bring good luck in love for Horses, with single ones poised to find their perfect match. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Chinese give red packets at Lunar New Year and the rise of digital versions

Called lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin, red packets wish good luck and prosperity, but are electronic versions taking over?