'bout Angpau

Imlek mungkin menjadi hari dimana banyak orang orang menunggu nya. dan sudah menjadi tradisi untuk memberi angpao kepada anak anak dan orang yang lebih muda dari orang tua.

soo.... what is actually angpau?

Ang Pau, which are little red packets containing new money, play an important part in the Chinese culture.

The origin of Ang Pau dates back to the Sung Dynasty in Chang-Chieu, a village in China. A young orphan boy fought and defeated the evil dragon that was terrorizing the village at that time. All the villagers were delighted and hence, they presented the young boy with an Ang Pau. Since then, Ang Pau became a part of the Chinese tradition.

However being in such a multi-cultured country like Malaysia, cultures have been assimilated. Both the Malays and Indians have accepted the Ang Pau giving practice as part of their cultural practice. The Malays usually give green packets of the same size of an Ang Pau but adorned with Islamic motifs during Hari Raya. The Indians, on the other hand, give purple coloured packets to children during Deepavali.

Ang Pau, directly translated are called red packets. Now, why red and not black or gray? Red, to the Chinese, is a colour that represents prosperity and good luck. The Chinese also believe that it is a colour to scare away evil spirits. Hence, most Ang Pau are red adorned with Chinese elements and well wishes like Chinese tangerines, gold pineapples, willows and dragons.

These Ang Pau are usually given by the married adults to young children as a sign of continued prosperity. The amount given is not such a big deal as receiving Ang Pau, whether small or big sums, has always been fun and exciting, especially for young children. However, it is important to note that when giving an Ang Pau, it should be a red envelope and not white as money put in white envelopes are meant for funerals.

It is often expected if not customary that Ang Pau given out are brand new, both the packet and the money inside. Hence, used Ang Pau packets are usually recycled for decorations or some even throw them away. This is also because these packets are widely available and cheap. Most banks, departmental stores and major shopping joints give out free Ang Pau packets a few weeks before Chinese New Year. Sometimes, their designs are much nicer and more colourful than the ones we purchase from bookstores or stationary shops.

Ang Pau giving is not only practiced during Chinese New Year; its convenience and practicality has gotten most people to practice the same when giving a gift during auspicious occasions like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.