Hongbao
A red envelope with money inside, given at weddings and other lucky occasions.
Also: red packet, ang pow, ang bao, lai see, hong bao
A hongbao is a red envelope containing money, a symbol of luck and goodwill. At a Chinese wedding, guests bring one for the couple, with the amount set by closeness to the family and the cost of the banquet, and avoiding amounts with the number four, which sounds like death. Elders give hongbao to the couple at the tea ceremony. Different names are used: ang pow in Hokkien in Singapore and Malaysia, lai see in Cantonese, and in Vietnamese li xi. Envelopes are given and received with both hands.
Region: East Asia