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Chinese Spring Festival Customs – Chinese New Year Money

There is a widely circulated saying about Chinese New Year’s money: “On the evening of Chinese New Year’s Eve, a little demon comes out to touch the head of a sleeping child with its hands. The child often cries in fear, then has a headache and fever, becoming a fool.”. Therefore, every household sits with their lights on this day without sleeping, which is called “Shou Sui”. There is a couple who have a son in their old age and are considered precious treasures. On the night of Chinese New Year’s Eve, they were afraid of causing harm to their children, so they took out eight copper coins to play with them. The child fell asleep after getting tired of playing, so they wrapped eight copper coins in red paper and placed them under the child’s pillow. The couple dared not close their eyes. In the middle of the night, a gust of wind blew open the door and extinguished the lights. As soon as “Sui” reached out to touch the child’s head, flashes of light burst from the pillow and he ran away. The next day, the couple told everyone about using red paper to wrap eight copper coins to scare away the trouble. After everyone learned to do it, the child was safe and sound. There is another theory that originated from ancient times, which was known as “suppressing shock”. It is said that in ancient times, there was a fierce beast that would come out every 365 days and harm humans, animals, and crops. Children are afraid, while adults use the sound of burning bamboo to comfort them with food, which is called “suppressing shock”. Over time and over time, it evolved into using currency instead of food, and by the Song Dynasty, it was known as “suppressing money”. According to Shi Zaixin, who was carried away by a bad person and exclaimed in surprise on the way, he was saved by the imperial carriage. Emperor Shenzong of Song then gave him the “Suppressing Golden Rhinoceros Coin”. In the future, it will develop into “New Year’s greetings”

It is said that New Year’s money can suppress evil spirits, because “Sui” sounds like “Sui”, and younger generations can spend the New Year safely by receiving New Year’s money. The custom of elders distributing New Year’s money to younger generations is still prevalent, with the amount of New Year’s money ranging from tens to hundreds. These New Year’s money are often used by children to buy books and learning supplies, and new fashion has given New Year’s money new content.

The custom of giving red envelopes during the Spring Festival has a long history. It represents a kind of beautiful blessings from elders to younger generations. It is a talisman given by elders to children, wishing them good health and good luck in the new year.