subject: The Red Envelope Ritual [print this page] The ritual of the red envelope is an old Asian tradition and it is related to tithing. Every time you get a windfall, you are to take nine cents, nine dollars or ninety dollars and deposit that amount in a red envelope. Nine is a number of renewal in Chinese numerological systems and it is also a very spiritual number. It is the number of death and being reborn. The idea is that the more you give away the more likely you are to manifest that money back.
You can just use a plain red envelope or you can buy the envelopes that are made commercially for tithing and gift giving by the Chinese. These envelopes are decorated with all kinds of different images and each symbolizes a different type of wealth.
Here is a breakdown of the different symbolism on red Chinese envelopes:
Double Happiness Sign - This can bring you and a partner wealth
Ship Sailing - This symbolizes wealth through import, export, outsourcing or even travel to other countries
Cranes - This symbolizes wealth for a long and happy marriage and also wealth for your children and grand children
Pears - This symbolizes health and wealth and happiness in general
Camellia flowers - This symbolizes general, health, wealth and happiness
Peonies - This symbolizes wealth for a single woman or the hope that she will find a rich husband
Goldfish - This is a symbol of protection and bodes well for a successful business
Mountains - This symbolizes achievement in both education and career and having the money to do whatever it is you want in life
You can order these special envelopes online or you can go to your local Chinatown which is sure to have scads of them on hand. They are an important part of Chinese culture and used in many celebratory and ceremonial senses. It is quite common for Asian children to get a red envelope full of money when they graduate or for their birthday. Many milestones in life are celebrated with the giving of these special envelopes including birthdays, weddings an anniversaries.
To perform a Westernized version of The Red Envelope Ritual you place money in the envelope and then hide them in public places so other people will find them. It helps to write things like God Bless You or Free Lucky Money, May It Multiply For You on the outside of the envelope.
You may also make out nine checks to favorite charities, stuff them inside red envelopes and mail them anonymously. This ritual is about the free circulation of money in your life and is intended to be anonymously and in a way that nobody sees you dropping off or hiding the envelopes.
This capitalizes on the principle of what you give out to the universe comes back to you nine fold. Strangely it relates to a Wiccan Creed as well that whatever you give out in life comes back to you three times three times three.
