Today is the first day of the Lunar (Chinese) New Year and it's the Year of the Dragon!
This is a "red packet" or "hongbao". In Chinese culture, money is put into the red packet and given away by married men and women to their parents, children and younger unmarried siblings. Unmarried relatives and friends who visit them during the first 15 days of the new year also receive them. Many employers give their employees as well.
Red packets come in hundreds of designs but are usually red and gold in color because these are considered to be auspicious colors. This one has the character "fu" for fortune. Designs vary from the cute and cartoonish to the simple and elegant.
The Dragon is considered to be the most auspicious zodiac sign. You can use a Gregorian-Chinese calendar converter ( http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/calendar.htm ) to find out what your Chinese zodiac sign is if you don't already know. I was born in the Year of the Dragon. 8D
Beautiful angle and colors, Livia. So you're a dragon . . should be a great year for you then. From what I understand (and that's very little), my sign just ended (I think). Rabbit. Not so good, huh?! Sounds a bit timid and uninspiring. LOL (AND boring!)
Can you breathe fire? LOL! JK! Lovely shot of this bag, Livia! I enjoyed reading the info you provided about it, too! Fascinating story! Great job with it, too!
I'm a Pig, apparently! :-) (an Earth Pig, I think). Love the photo, those rich colours, and all the fascinating facts, but (darn it) I thought Chinese New Year was tomorrow, 23rd, and was all set up to launch myself on the site and officially begin at the New Year! Have I been and gone and missed it?!! Too late now, I'm starting tomorrow anyway! :-)
Happy Year of the Dragon to you! :-)
what a beautiful tradition, my youngest child ( 24 this year) is year of the dragon, and two grandchildren will be born to me in year of the dragon, so i think this is a special year, and love your image. thank you for sharing
I heard it will be a big year for babies because everyone wants to have a baby born in the year of the dragon. I am a snake so watch out! Thanks Livia, this was fun!
Happy Year of the Dragon! I want to thank everyone for stopping by. Thank you for taking the time. I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!
@karenann Actually, the Year of the Dragon is not good for those who are Dragons! That's what the fengshui masters say anyway. The Rabbit's a good zodiac sign. People who are born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to be gentle, compassionate, modest, generous and eloquent. Karen, these are great qualities! 8)
@claireuk Claire, my husband too was born in the Year of the Rat! Rats are supposed to be smart, thoughtful, hardworking and adaptable. Rats are also very loyal to friends. A pretty good zodiac sign if you asked me. Dragons and Rats are supposed to get along great, too. ;D
@jenirainbow January 23 is right. It's the first day of the Lunar New Year. People born in the Year of the Pig tend to be tolerant, optimistic, self-reliant and determined, and very helpful to friends. They can be impulsive, but are not afraid of problems. Would that be accurate? 8)
@http365proj People born in the Year of the Ox tend to be fair-minded, good listeners. They like to be neat, honest and hardworking. Their action speaks louder than words. Does that describe you? 8)
@pepitaliang Pepita, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Wan Shi Lu Yi!
@wannabe That would be right! A baby boom is expected. Everyone wants to have a Dragon baby because the dragon is considered to be the most auspicious zodiac sign. 8D
This is so interesting. I've heard of the Chinese New Year and the animal symbols for each year but never the custom of giving away the money in the red packets.
Livia . . thank goodness I have a few nice qualities in my sign. I find this fascinating . . really do. Actually you are special and I'm glad that you are on 365 and that I found your site. You're a breath of fresh air!!
And informative too - never come across "hongbao" before. :)
Happy Year of the Dragon to you! :-)
@karenann Actually, the Year of the Dragon is not good for those who are Dragons! That's what the fengshui masters say anyway. The Rabbit's a good zodiac sign. People who are born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to be gentle, compassionate, modest, generous and eloquent. Karen, these are great qualities! 8)
@claireuk Claire, my husband too was born in the Year of the Rat! Rats are supposed to be smart, thoughtful, hardworking and adaptable. Rats are also very loyal to friends. A pretty good zodiac sign if you asked me. Dragons and Rats are supposed to get along great, too. ;D
@tejitoki 恭喜發財! 万事如意! 8D
@jenirainbow January 23 is right. It's the first day of the Lunar New Year. People born in the Year of the Pig tend to be tolerant, optimistic, self-reliant and determined, and very helpful to friends. They can be impulsive, but are not afraid of problems. Would that be accurate? 8)
@http365proj People born in the Year of the Ox tend to be fair-minded, good listeners. They like to be neat, honest and hardworking. Their action speaks louder than words. Does that describe you? 8)
@marytj You are special, Mary! 8)
@pepitaliang Pepita, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Wan Shi Lu Yi!
@wannabe That would be right! A baby boom is expected. Everyone wants to have a Dragon baby because the dragon is considered to be the most auspicious zodiac sign. 8D
Again, everyone, thank you very much!