When giving money, new crispy bills are normally given instead of old dirty bills. There is also a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, such as in 40, 400, and 444, as the pronunciation of the word four ( 四) is homophonous to the word death ( 死). Still in some regions of China and in its diaspora community, odd numbers are favored for weddings because they are difficult to divide. An exception exists for the number nine, as the pronunciation of nine (Chinese: 九) is homophonous to the word long ( 久), and is the largest single digit. The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, in accordance with Chinese beliefs odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. Red envelopes are usually given out to the younger generation who are normally still in school or unmarried.

The act of requesting red packets is normally called tao hongbao ( Chinese: 討紅包 pinyin: tǎo hóngbāo) or yao lishi (Chinese: 要利是 pinyin: yào lì shì), and, in the south of China, dou li shi (Chinese: 逗利是 pinyin: dòu lì shì Cantonese Yale: dau6 lai6 si6). It is also gifted when a person is visiting as a gesture of kindness for visiting. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits.

Red envelopes, more commonly known as Hong Bao (in Mandarin) or Lai See (in Cantonese), are gifts presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or holidays such as Chinese New Year. In the mid-2010's, a digital equivalent to the practice emerged within messaging apps with mobile wallet systems localised for Chinese New Year. These customs have also been adopted across parts of Southeast Asia, and other countries that have a sizable ethnic Chinese population as well. The red packet is also called 'money warding off old age' ( 壓歲錢 yāsuì qián) for Chinese New Year. Although the red envelope was popularised by Chinese traditions, other cultures also share similar traditional customs. In East and Southeast Asian cultures, a red envelope, red packet or red pocket ( simplified Chinese: 红包 traditional Chinese: 紅包 pinyin: hóngbāo Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Âng-pau) is a monetary gift given during holidays or for special occasions such as a wedding, a graduation, or the birth of a baby. Assorted examples of contemporary red envelopes

Red pocket