What does lucky money mean and where does the lucky money custom come from?

On Tet holiday, people often put money in small, brightly colored envelopes to give to children, the elderly and people they love and know.

What does lucky money mean?

Lucky money is the transliteration of the word "loi thi" in Chinese, which means to gain profit, to get money, to get luck. Therefore, lucky money is money that brings luck, good things, and good things to children at the beginning of the year.

The meaning of lucky money envelopes is not in the amount of money but in the goodwill and good meaning of the action. Lucky money is usually small amounts of money, including both coins and even money, placed discreetly in red envelopes. The recipients of lucky money, whether children or adults, are happy and excited.

Origin of the custom of giving lucky money on Tet holiday

This custom has existed since ancient times, originating in China and there are many stories about its origin.

According to legend, in the East Sea, there are many monsters that threaten to harm the people. Normally, they are always guarded by the fairies in the lower world. However, every year, the fairies have to return to heaven at the time of New Year's Eve. At this time, the monsters are rampant, rubbing the heads of sleeping children, causing them to startle and cry out. The next day, the children have headaches and high fevers, making the parents not dare to sleep to keep watch.

One day, eight fairies passed by and saw this. They transformed into coins and laid them beside the children, telling their parents to wrap them in red cloth to ward off the monster. Unexpectedly, this miracle was really effective. When the monster came, the coins flashed, scaring it and forcing it to run away.

The couple happily told the story to everyone. Since then, every Tet holiday, people put money in red envelopes to give to children so that they can grow up quickly and be healthy. This action has become more and more popular, people call it the custom of giving lucky money or lucky money at the beginning of the new year.

The meaning of the custom of giving lucky money on Tet holiday

Giving lucky money at the beginning of the year is a beautiful custom and cultural feature of Vietnamese people, with the wish to bring good luck in the new year. Giving lucky money is not limited to the first day of Tet, you can give lucky money throughout the first three days of the year, even extending to the 9th and 10th.

Starting from the moment of New Year's Eve, the elders in the family will give lucky money to their children and grandchildren, and then the children and grandchildren will give lucky money to their grandparents for good luck for the whole year. Visitors will also receive lucky money from the host or vice versa. The meaning of lucky money does not lie in the value of the money but in the wish that children eat well, grow up quickly, have fun, study hard, and be obedient; and that the elders will be healthy so that they can be with their children and grandchildren for a long time. Nowadays, people of all ages can receive lucky money for good luck.

Lucky money envelopes also carry many good meanings, symbolizing discretion, not comparing, avoiding unnecessary conflicts. The red color of the lucky money envelope symbolizes the color of good luck, prosperity throughout the year, the color of hope and luck.

According to VTC