tour 3 of 11
Chinese New Year
Lucky red envelope containing a Hong Kong 1 cent note
The inscription on this note is presented in a
frame, reminiscent of an impression from a seal, thus adding an air
of tradition and authority. Below it is a branch bearing two
oranges, alongside representations of traditional forms of money -
spade money, a round 'cash' coin with a square hole
in the centre - and a
ruyi
sceptre.
Oranges are
associated with good fortune on account of their golden colour. The
character ji is also
found within the character
ju meaning orange, which
adds another layer of implied good luck. Oranges are often given as
gifts, usually in pairs or even numbers, and given and received
with both hands.
The
inscriptions on the traditional forms of money express a wish for
good luck. The round 'cash' coin wishes
specifically for a Happy New Year. Coins are depicted on the New
Year envelopes not merely because they convey a wish for money and
prosperity, but also because there is a long tradition of making
coin-shaped charms. Certain types of coins were regarded as lucky,
usually because of the historical facts associated with the
inscription on those coins. Also, as Chinese coins usually have an
inscription comprising four characters, and many Chinese sayings
and proverbs are also four-character phrases, the good luck wishes
fit beautifully into the design of the traditional
'cash'
coin.
The Hong Kong 1 cent
banknote became so firmly associated with lucky red envelopes that
the notes continued to be made for this purpose, even when they
were no longer valid as currency.