The Cantonese name used for red envelopes during Chinese New Year is lai see, commonly written 利是. These envelopes traditionally contain money and are given as blessings, especially by married adults to children and younger relatives.
The custom is part of New Year visits and family gatherings across Cantonese-speaking communities, including Hong Kong and Guangdong. The envelope’s red color is associated with good fortune and festive protection, while the money represents a wish for prosperity rather than simply a gift of cash.
Regional names differ. Mandarin speakers commonly say hongbao, while ang pow or ang pao is associated with Hokkien and Teochew usage in parts of Southeast Asia. These terms refer to the same broad custom, but lai see is the Cantonese expression. The practice is also distinct from the Lantern Festival, which marks the later close of the New Year celebration.