Every year, when Christmas is drawing near, most students become busy shoppers, especially lady students. Every time we finish the class and I ask them "What are you up to?" they always make this unanimous reply "I'm gonna buy Christmas gifts for my families back home". So when they come back to the next class, I usually ask them to make a short report in Mandarin on what they have purchased. They are always happy to share. Some of them buy Chinese antiques or accessories for their families and friends; some purchase local specialties or clothing to take back home. I am very intrigued, because in Spring Festival, the Chinese counterpart of Christmas, we do not usually send item presents to our families, instead we give money, which we call a name "Red envelope money",which in Chinese is "ya sui qian". Unlike people in foreign countries who have the custom of exchanging gifts with one another, Chinese do not randomly give money to others in the festival. The rule is that the older generation gives money to the younger one within a family, and in south China like Guangzhou, the married couple usually gives money to their single friends.
Why do Chinese call the money "ya sui qian"? There is a story here. In ancient times, there was a demon with blank body and white hands. His name was Sui. Every eve of the first day in a year, he would sneak into people's house and touch children' heads, so that the kids would get fever which caused mental problems in them afterwards. Therefore, every year at that time, in fear that Sui might hurt their kids, parents would not go to sleep but guard the kids with all the lights on, which was called “Shou sui” (defend against Sui). There was one couple who just got a son in their old age. They cherished the kid very much. At that night, like other parents, they accompanied their son playing with him. They wrapped up some coins with red paper and put it under the kid's pillow. It was almost five o'clock in the morning. The couple thought Sui might not come, so they went to bed. But the demon still showed up. Just when he approached the kid, a bunch of golden light sprung out from the pillow. With a shrill screaming, Sui disappeared in horror. Later, the news quickly spread all over the town. From then on, on every New Year's Eve, people would use red paper, wrap some money inside and give it to their kids, so that Sui was never able to harm them. They called the money "ya sui qian" referring to the money that was used to keep away the demon "Sui". And this custom passed from generation to generation until now.
So the story comes to an end, I am sure that now you are not confused about the custom any more if you used to. But if you are also thinking about sending presents to your Chinese friends during the Spring Festival, here is a piece of advice for you: fruits, cakes and flowers can make ideal choices.
Why do Chinese call the money "ya sui qian"? There is a story here. In ancient times, there was a demon with blank body and white hands. His name was Sui. Every eve of the first day in a year, he would sneak into people's house and touch children' heads, so that the kids would get fever which caused mental problems in them afterwards. Therefore, every year at that time, in fear that Sui might hurt their kids, parents would not go to sleep but guard the kids with all the lights on, which was called “Shou sui” (defend against Sui). There was one couple who just got a son in their old age. They cherished the kid very much. At that night, like other parents, they accompanied their son playing with him. They wrapped up some coins with red paper and put it under the kid's pillow. It was almost five o'clock in the morning. The couple thought Sui might not come, so they went to bed. But the demon still showed up. Just when he approached the kid, a bunch of golden light sprung out from the pillow. With a shrill screaming, Sui disappeared in horror. Later, the news quickly spread all over the town. From then on, on every New Year's Eve, people would use red paper, wrap some money inside and give it to their kids, so that Sui was never able to harm them. They called the money "ya sui qian" referring to the money that was used to keep away the demon "Sui". And this custom passed from generation to generation until now.
So the story comes to an end, I am sure that now you are not confused about the custom any more if you used to. But if you are also thinking about sending presents to your Chinese friends during the Spring Festival, here is a piece of advice for you: fruits, cakes and flowers can make ideal choices.
1 comment:
Wow so finally I know what is behind the story with the red envelope. Thanks a lot for the story, Maggie, and… “Gong xi fa cai, hongbao na lai”
Post a Comment