There are two kinds of red envelopes: one is made of colored rope and thread, which is placed at the foot of the bed. This record can be found in Yanjing's chronicle of age; the other is the most common one, which is the money that parents wrap and distribute to their children with red paper. New year's money can be given in public after the younger generation's new year's Eve, or put under the child's pillow quietly by the parents when the child is asleep on New Year's Eve. It is believed that children should be given money for new year's Eve. When evil spirits and demons or "Nian" harm their children, they can use the money to bribe them and turn evil into good.
In addition, there is also a kind of real lucky money, which is given by the younger generation to the old people in ancient times. The age, that is, the age, the number of years, the lucky year, is intended to look forward to the old people's longevity. There is a very popular story about lucky money. In ancient times, there was a little demon called "Su". On the eve of the new year's Eve, he came out to touch the head of the sleeping child with his hand. The child often cried out in fear, then he had a headache and fever, and became a fool.
Therefore, every family is sitting with a light on this day, which is called "guarding". There is a husband and wife who are old and have children, and they are regarded as sweethearts. On the eve of the new year's Eve, afraid of harming the children, they took out eight copper coins to play with them. When the child was tired and fell asleep, they wrapped eight copper coins in red paper and put them under the child's pillow. The couple did not dare to close their eyes. In the middle of the night, a dark wind opened the door and blew out the lights. As soon as he reached out to touch the child's head, a flash of light came out from the pillow, which made him run away.
The next day, the husband and wife told everyone about how to scare back the money with eight copper coins wrapped in red paper. After everyone learned to do it, the child would be safe. Another theory comes from the ancient "shock". It is said that there was a fierce animal called "Nian" in ancient times. Every 365 days, it would come out and hurt people, animals and crops. When children are afraid, adults use the sound of burning bamboo to drive away the "year", and comfort children with food, which is called "crushing shock". As time went on, it became money instead of food. In the Song Dynasty, there was "shock money". According to historical records, Wang Shaozi, Nanxin, was rescued by the emperor's chariot because he was carried away by a bad man and screamed on the way. Emperor Shenzong of Song Dynasty gave him the money to suppress the panic. Later, it developed into 'lucky money'.