Year of the Horse red envelopes

During Lunar New Year, it’s very common for Chinese people to give the gift of a red envelope (known as 红包, hóngbāo in Mandarin, or 利是, lai-see in Cantonese) to friends and family. These long, narrow envelopes are filled with money and symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead. While hóngbāo is used in Chinese-speaking communities, “hangpao” is common in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

The importance of hongbao (literally: ‘red bag’) isn’t the cash inside, it’s the envelope itself. In the roughly 65 years since red envelopes came into circulation, their eye-catching designs are a key part of the arresting visual language of Chinese New Year. In a festival known for its decorations, bright colors and intricate designs, hongbao not only doesn’t let the side down, there is significant design rationale behind its beauty. As a color, red has many meanings in the culture. It is associated with life-giving energy (think blood, the sun, fire). It is also the color of prosperity and luck. Writing and illustrations on these envelopes is typically gold, the color of wealth, abundance and fortune. The strength of these colors within Chinese tradition means that the design of red envelopes has a pretty definitive style guide; illustrations and layouts are where variation comes in.

Designs will vary

envelops measure approximately 3.5"x6.5"