Red packets. Singapore. 2020. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
Did you think it was always paper note money? I did. People queue up (Americans say line up) to get crisp new note money to go inside red packets.
But not always note money. I was wrong.
Red packets can contain other symbolic lucky gifts. For example rice, symbolic of plentiful food.
Or small coins, symbolic of wealth. this works well for children. so long as the coins are not five to tots under three years old who might swallow the money.
Ideally, however, coins should be gold (or chocolates covered in gold foil) symbolising money.
How do you know what is inside a sealed red packet? Feel it. Feel the shape and weight.
You are not supposed to open it in the presence of the giver.
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. I have several posts on Singapore and other destinations.
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2020/01/collect-red-packets-for-chinese-new-year.html
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