According to Chinese tradition, opening these red envelopes – hong bao in Mandarin or lai see in Cantonese – before the festival officially ends on its 15th day, tempting as it may be, may ruin a perfect cycle of celebration, as symbolised by the first full moon of the new year.
However, the best and most auspicious day to open your red packets in the Year of the Horse is actually March 4, or the 16th day of the new lunar year, according to Hong Kong fortune-tellers.
It is worth noting that it is good practice – and etiquette – to not open lai see immediately after you receive them and in front of the giver. On the other hand, it is also inauspicious to leave red packets unopened so be sure to remove the cash within the next couple of months.
