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Lai see red envelopes are a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations. We reveal on which days to open these money-filled packets to avoid bad luck and set yourself up for an auspicious Year of the Dragon. Photo: Shutterstock
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Explainer | When best to open your Lunar New Year red packets to avoid bad luck and set yourself up for an auspicious Year of the Dragon

  • Lai see red envelopes containing cash are often given at Chinese New Year, but opening them at the wrong time can bring bad luck
  • We reveal the days on which it is best to open your red packets and acknowledge well wishes from family and friends in an auspicious way
Chinese culture
SCMP Reporter
SCMP Reporter
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If you forgot to open your lai see packets last Friday – the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, also known as “People’s Day” – then you need to wait until this Saturday, the 15th day, to tally your good fortune without the fear of breaking any taboos.

According to Chinese tradition, opening these red envelopes, or hong bao, before the new year officially ends on its 15th day – tempting as it may be – may ruin a perfect cycle of celebration, as symbolised by the first full moon of the Lunar New Year.

As a result, you may risk letting your good fortune slip away through the cracks of imperfection.

The exception to this rule is the seventh day, which marks “everyone’s birthday”; on this day it’s OK to celebrate by opening your lai see to acknowledge the well wishes you received from friends and relatives.
According to Chinese tradition, it is OK to open lai see on the seventh and 15th days of the Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock
It also makes perfect sense to open your lai see on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which is also the Lantern Festival or Chinese Valentine’s Day.

In the old days, lantern viewing and lantern riddle solving in the evening offered single men and women the opportunity to meet and mingle.

Today though, it’s just a good excuse to have a good and auspicious night out with friends and family, and to spend your lucky fortune on the people you love.

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