发红包的寓意和象征 红包的意义

2月12日,农历牛年第一天,《牛津英语词典》(Oxford English Dictionary)选的“每日一词”(Word of the day)是来自汉语的 hongbao(红包),非常应景 。
那么红包在中国文化中到底有何讲究呢?我们通过下面这篇文章来了解一下 。
The Significance of Red Envelopes in Chinese Culture
红包在中国文化中的意义
文/劳伦·麦克
译/杨晓斌
By Lauren Mack
A red envelope (hóngbāo) is simply a long, narrow, red envelope. Traditional red envelopes are often decorated with gold Chinese characters, such as happiness and wealth. Variations include red envelopes with cartoon characters depicted and red envelopes from stores and companies that contain coupons and gift certificates inside.红包只不过是一个又长又窄的红色信封 。传统红包通常饰有金色的汉字,比如“福”字和“财”字 。其他形式的红包有的上面印着卡通人物,有的是商店和公司派发,里面装着优惠券和礼品券 。

发红包的寓意和象征 红包的意义

文章插图
文章插图
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
How red envelopes are used
使用方法
During Chinese New Year, money is put inside red envelopes which are then handed out to younger generations by their parents, grandparents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends.春节期间,父母、祖父母、亲戚,甚至近邻和好友把钱装进红包发给小辈们 。
At some companies, workers may also receive a year-end cash bonus tucked inside a red envelope. Red envelopes are also popular gifts for birthdays and weddings. Some four-character expressions appropriate for a wedding red envelope are 天作之合 (tiānzuò zhīhé, a marriage made in heaven) or 百年好合 (bǎinián hǎo hé, a happy union for 100 years).在有些公司,员工还会收到装在红包里的现金年终奖 。红包也是受欢迎的生日和结婚贺礼 。适合婚礼红包的一些四字格表达有“天作之合”(上天成全的姻缘)或“百年好合”(两人一辈子情投意合) 。
Unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given at Chinese New Year are typically left unsigned. For birthdays or weddings, a short message, typically a four-character expression, and signature are optional. 与西方的贺卡不同,中国新年发红包通常都不署名 。生日或婚礼的红包上,可选择简短留言(一般写四字格祝福)并签名 。
The color
颜色寓意
Red symbolizes luck and good fortune in Chinese culture. That is why red envelopes are used during Chinese New Year and other celebratory events. Other envelope colors are used for other types of occasions. For example, white envelopes are used for funerals.红色在中国文化中象征着幸运和财富,这就是为什么在中国新年和其他庆祝活动中都会用到红包 。还有其他颜色的信封用于别的场合 。例如,白色信封用于葬礼 。
How to give and receive
收发讲究
Giving and receiving red envelopes, gifts, and even business cards is a solemn act. Therefore, red envelopes, gifts, and name cards are always presented with both hands and also received with both hands.收发红包、礼物甚至商务名片都是很庄重的行为 。因此,红包、礼物和名片等,都要双手递接 。
【发红包的寓意和象征 红包的意义】The recipient of a red envelope at Chinese New Year or on his or her birthday should not open it in front of the giver. At Chinese weddings, the procedure is different. At a Chinese wedding, there is a table at the entrance of the wedding reception where guests give their red envelopes to attendants and sign their names on a large scroll. The attendants will immediately open the envelope, count the money inside, and record it on a register next to the guests’ names. 。在春节或生日时,收到了红包不可当着送礼人的面拆开 。中式婚礼则不然,在婚宴入口处摆有一张桌子,来客将红包交给接待人员并在一幅大大的卷轴上签名 。接待员会立刻打开红包清点礼金,并在礼单簿上将金额记录在客人的姓名旁边 。

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