How much money should ang paos contain—and what should you do with them afterward?

Ringing in the Chinese New Year comes with traditional gifts like ang paos (or red envelopes).

These envelopes contain money, symbolizing well-wishes and good luck for the coming year. But it's not the cash inside that's actually given value. Rather, it's the envelope that takes center stage.

According to Google Arts & Culture, the custom of giving red envelopes came from an old legend where a demon known as Sui terrorized children while they slept on New Year’s Eve. Their parents would try to keep them awake all night to protect them.

One New Year, a child was given eight coins to play with to keep him awake but eventually dozed off with the coins on his pillow.

Sui appeared but when he tried to touch the child, the coins, which turned out to be the Eight Immortals (a group of Chinese heroes who fight evil), produced a powerful light that drove the demon away.

The red envelopes are symbolic of those coins. Often decorated with Chinese calligraphy and symbols, they are believed to be auspicious, with the bright color symbolizing fortune, energy, and happiness.

But once people have their ang paos at the ready, some remain clueless as to how much money they must put inside. Are you one of them? Here's what you should know.

Relationships and occasions matter

Feng shui expert Jean Chua told PhilSTAR L!fe that the amount depends on the relationship between the giver and the receiver.

Traditionally, Chua noted that it centers on children, who typically get their ang pao from their ang kong (grandfather) or ah ma (grandmother), even their uncles or aunts.

Nevertheless, anybody can receive one.

Events like christenings, birthdays, or weddings also see ang pao distribution. Of course, larger amounts inside are expected.

Even numbers

But it's not just any denomination. Even numbers are preferred to odd numbers for prosperity.

Chua gave sample amounts like P1,200, 2,400, and P4,800. Givers may go as high as P12,000, even P24,000. The idea is that there must be 2, 4, 6, and especially 8, a lucky number in Chinese.

There's a superstition that 4 is unlucky because it sounds similar to "death," but Chua said it's just a myth.

Joey Yap, Chinese metaphysics master and feng shui expert who founded global feng shui organization Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics, also noted it's not true, saying that the number—much less its sound—has nothing to do with the energy that the "science" harmonizes.

"It's only pronunciation," Yap said.

Clean, crisp notes

Giving wrinkled or crumpled notes isn't exactly forbidden, but Chua noted that it would be best to give clean and crisp notes as they're more presentable.

"Of course, we don’t want to see crumpled money when it is used for lucky gifts," she said.

Putting coins also isn't recommended, as the smaller amounts not only look inelegant but also signify a lack of generosity on the giver's part.

What to do with ang paos afterward?

Others don't know what to do with the auspicious envelope they've just received. Should they throw it away? Should they keep it in their drawers?

For the most pragmatic of reasons, Chua said an already-opened ang pao can be used again the following year.

She also noted that the money an individual gets from the ang pao must be deposited to the bank to bring good luck in terms of circulating money.

Ultimately, to have an auspicious year ahead, Chua said the receiver must also maintain a good relationship with the giver.