The Chinese language zodiac has 12 animals, which take turns exerting affect over annually, all the time in the identical order. The snake holds sixth place within the cycle—the others, so as, are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, horse, sheep, cash, rooster, canine and pig. (In Vietnam, individuals have a good time the cat as a substitute of the rabbit, and the buffalo as a substitute of the ox.)

In 2025, Chinese language New Yr—celebrated extra extensively throughout East Asian and Southeast Asian communities as Lunar New Yr—falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, kicking off two weeks of household gatherings, elaborate feasts, and the giving and receiving of “fortunate cash” in little purple envelopes.

When is fortunate cash given? 

Fortunate cash envelopes—known as lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin—are given to youngsters and, in some locations, seniors within the first two weeks of the Lunar New Yr, up till the primary full moon, a day known as the Spring Pageant or Lantern Pageant (in 2025, Feb. 12). 

Usually, when you get married, it’s your flip handy out envelopes, and also you’ll obtain fewer your self. There are not any onerous and quick guidelines, although—single adults may also give lai see to youthful kinfolk and associates’ youngsters, for instance. Individuals usually give fortunate cash to their service suppliers. My mother and father deliver purple envelopes for the servers at their common dim sum spot.

How a lot cash are we speaking about? 

Earlier than I obtained married, I obtained $5 or $10 from every relative and $20 from every mother or father for Chinese language New Yr. Usually, the nearer your relationship is to the recipient, the extra fortunate cash you give. The quantity is much less vital than the spirit during which the reward is given—in Chinese language tradition, the color purple symbolizes happiness and good luck. 

Fortunate cash can also be given on particular events like birthdays, weddings, graduations and the delivery of a child. And the envelopes aren’t all the time purple—you’ll find every little thing from cartoony rainbow variations to trendy gold ones. Canada’s big banks usually give out packs of branded envelopes when clients decide up crisp new payments for Lunar New Yr (giving previous, wrinkly money is taken into account poor etiquette). And in Asia, you may ship digital “purple packets” by way of WeChat, AliPay, Tencent QQ and different monetary platforms.

What else to reward for Chinese language New Yr?

When visiting kinfolk, many Chinese language households deliver conventional new yr’s sweets and snacks. Oranges, clementines, pomelos and kumquats are additionally common items—they symbolize abundance, happiness and success. 

Lunar New Yr has develop into extremely commercialized, even in international locations exterior of Asia. My inbox is filled with emails from life-style and luxurious manufacturers selling Yr of the Snake merchandise—every little thing from purses and jewelry to beauty kits and Lego units, and everybody from Joe Contemporary to Swarovski is in on the motion. Dyson is even making Lunar New Yr–themed hairstyling instruments, clad in purple and gold.