Traditional Chinese New Year envelopes are red.
Known as hóngbāo, red packets, or red envelopes, these gifts usually contain money and are exchanged during Chinese New Year and other important occasions. Red is associated in Chinese culture with good fortune, celebration, vitality, and protection from misfortune, making it a fitting color for a new-year gift.
The custom is especially associated with elders giving packets to children and younger relatives, although adults may exchange them in families, workplaces, and communities. The amount of money varies by relationship and circumstance. In many traditions, even-numbered amounts are preferred, while amounts containing the number four may be avoided because its pronunciation resembles the word for death in some varieties of Chinese.
A common mix-up is assuming that every envelope used for a celebration is specifically a New Year packet. Red envelopes are also given at weddings, graduations, birthdays, and other milestones. Since the mid-2010s, digital versions have become widespread through messaging apps and mobile-wallet services, particularly WeChat.