The Angpau Legend: Originally To Fight Sui's Ghost

jAKARTA - Yolanda Cenderakasih (23) hurried back to her house, Friday, January 24, evening. The reason is that he will gather with his family to celebrate the Chinese New Year which falls on Saturday, January 25.

Many things he likes during Chinese New Year, including hanging out with family and new clothes. He is also happy when he gets angpau from his older family, or one who is already married.

"I like it when Imlek wears new clothes, from top to bottom, I also get angpau too," said Yolanda during a conversation with VOI in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, Friday, January 24 evening.

Talking about angpau, maybe many don't know the meaning of this tradition, including the use of red envelopes with gold ornaments.

Erwin Tjioe, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Department of the Chinese Indonesian Society of Social Societies (PSMTI) explained that the tradition of giving angpau originated from a legend against ghosts.

He said that in the past, there was a little ghost named Sui whose hobby was to disturb children by holding his head. Then, the child who is held by his head, will have a high fever and gradually become stupid. This then made families at that time afraid to sleep at night before the Chinese New Year.

"Then there was a family who had been married for a long time and had a new child. Then took their child to play with copper coins, until he was sleepy and fell asleep. After that, the couple wrapped the coins in red paper and put them beside the child's pillow," said Erwin when contacted via text message, Saturday, January 25.

That night, continued Erwin, the ghost of Sui who wandered over to the child and the ghost was shocked when there was a sparkle of light on the red paper and did not hold the head of the couple's child.

Finding their child asleep at night before Chinese New Year and not being disturbed, the couple immediately told their neighbors about this experience.

"Since then the habit of giving angpau has gone downhill. Parents or married people always give angpau to their children on Chinese New Year," said Erwin.

In addition to avoiding the ghost of Sui, Erwin also explained that this angpau is also shared by parents in the hope that the giver will receive blessings and health.

The red color in the red envelope, he explained, also symbolizes excitement and warmth. So, this color is also often used in ornaments that are ahead of the Chinese New Year such as lanterns.

The important thing is, when you are not married, don't then try to give angpau. Because, the myth is, the giver does not get a blessing, instead he is kept away from his mate.

"Angpao is only given by parents and people who are already paired," said Erwin.

The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)

Tag: imlek