Pronunciation: yā suì qián
Lucky money, also known as "warding-off-evil coins" or "money to suppress the monster Sui", is a traditional custom during the Chinese Spring Festival. It is practiced in China and regions with large ethnic Chinese populations. During the Lunar New Year, elders give prepared lucky money to younger family members after the New Year’s Eve dinner, aiming to ward off evil spirits and ensure children stay safe in the coming year.
The custom originated from the myth of the monster Sui. It began to take shape in the Han Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, it became popular in the imperial court to distribute coins in spring. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, coins were strung with red cords and given to children. After the Republican period, lucky money evolved into copper coins wrapped in red paper. After banknotes came into use, parents preferred new, sequentially numbered bills as lucky money.
Before the 2024 Spring Festival, an "international version" of lucky money emerged. Some parents also replaced traditional cash red envelopes with books or travel cards. According to the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China, lucky money is considered a gift, and its ownership belongs to the child who receives it. The custom of giving lucky money is also observed in ethnic Chinese families in the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and other countries, as well as in the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Origins
The Shousui (Staying Up) Theory
There is a black-bodied, white-handed monster called Sui that wanders out on New Year’s Eve to trouble families with children. It touches the forehead of sleeping children, causing them to develop high fevers and delirium. After the fever subsides, children may become mentally impaired. Loving parents stay up all night with lights on to guard their children, a practice called "shou sui" (guarding against Sui).
The Yajing (Calming Shock) Theory
A ferocious beast called Nian often harms people, crops, and livestock on New Year’s Eve. People scare it away with fireworks and firecrackers to protect their homes. To comfort frightened young children, they prepare tasty snacks to calm their nerves. Later, food was replaced with money, which was officially named "calming-shock gold, rhinoceros coins, and fruits" in the Song Dynasty.
Historical Evolution
Han Dynasty: Lucky money first appeared, also called yasheng coins (warding-off-evil coins). These were not circulating currency but amulets shaped like coins for wearing and decoration.
Tang Dynasty: Distributing coins in spring became fashionable in the imperial court.
Ming and Qing Dynasties: Lucky money was mostly strung with red cords and given to children.
Post-Republican Period: It evolved into 100 copper coins wrapped in red paper, symbolizing "longevity".
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China: With banknotes as currency, parents favored new, sequentially numbered bills for good luck.
Folk Customs
Lucky money is a red envelope given by elders to juniors, symbolizing blessings and good fortune. It is usually given after the New Year’s Eve dinner. Some families secretly place lucky money under children’s pillows while they sleep; others give it directly. It is considered impolite to open the envelope in front of the giver.
Related Culture
Myth
According to legend, Sui is a monster that touches sleeping children’s heads on New Year’s Eve, making them sick or mentally disabled. To protect children, people place copper coins under their pillows on New Year’s Eve. These coins are believed to ward off Sui. Since Sui (the monster) sounds the same as sui (year), this practice gradually became the custom of giving "lucky money", representing elders’ wishes for juniors’ healthy growth and protection.