The ang pao has been a respected part of Chinese tradition for centuries. Also known as the red packet or the red envelope, this small monetary gift can often be seen in major life events such as weddings, holidays, or graduation, but we bet there are some fun facts you didn’t know about the ang pao!

1. It’s red for a reason
The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and also doubles as a deterrent against evil spirits. An early version of the ang pao was called “yasui qian” or “suppressing ghosts money”.

2. You can’t give it to just anyone
Ang paos are usually given by elders to younger people or by married people to singles; giving an ang pao t