Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre & City of Wetaskiwin Archives

The dawn of a new year may have come and went on the 1st of January, but the celebrations are yet to cease for those who observe the traditional Chinese calendar. This year Chinese New Year’s falls on February 5th, bringing families together to feast, watch fireworks, and exchange red paper envelopes as a symbol of goodwill. Red envelopes, such as the one found in the Heritage Museum’s Chinese exhibit, are primarily presented as monetary gifts by older individuals to younger ones during the holiday. For example, children will often receive these envelopes from their parents, but they are similarly handed out by grandparents to their loved ones or employers to their employees. In accordance with Chinese beliefs, the red color of the envelope is symbolic of luck and good fortune, and money is placed and sealed within the envelope. The coins pictured here are over 100 years old! So while this year is the year of the pig, red envelopes give you a chance to bring home the bacon!