Free Printable Red Money Envelopes For Chinese New Year 2020 – Rat!

Today’s Chinese New Year printables are Red Money Envelopes which have been updated for the Year of the Rat. They are traditionally given to wish a healthy and happy new year.

Chinese New Year 2020 is the Year of the Rat and falls on January 25th. I have shared lots of Chinese New Year printables over the years, and I like to update them so that they reflect the correct Chinese Zodiac signs. 

Red Money Envelopes

The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first. – Chinese Zodiac

Your Chinese Zodiac is Rat if you are born in one of these years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020.

The red colour of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, in accordance with Chinese beliefs.

There is also a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, such as in 40, 400 and 444, as the pronunciation of the word “four” is homophonous to the word “death”.

I found a fascinating article about Chinese red money envelopes (hongbao), which goes into greater detail about the traditions.

We love to celebrate Chinese New Year in our household, I remember as a child going to Chinatown in London with my family and seeing the Lion Dance which always had me in complete awe, and we’d always enjoy some Chinese food too!

My dad was really into Kung Fu in his younger days, so maybe that’s where it all stemmed from! You can read more about the Chinese New Year on my blog here.

Updated every new year, this year the red money envelopes feature my little gold rat. There are four different designs.

As with [most of] my printables, they are available in two paper sizes – A4 and US Letter (8.5″ x 11″)

Download your chosen printable from the list further down the page (they’re surrounded by a purple box)

Read this next: 50+ Delicious Recipes for Chinese New Year

How To Make Red Money Envelopes

• Print as many red envelope templates as you need onto good quality (120gsm/30lbs) thick paper or thin card and cut out.
• Score along the lines, and fold the flaps towards the back, as shown in the image below.
• Fix with a little bit of roller glue or double-sided tape.
• Add some money then fold the final flap down and seal with some tape, or just slot into place.

I will be updating all of my free printables for the Chinese New Year. Make sure you are a member of The Pumpkin Patch so that you don’t miss out!

 

Download Red Money Envelopes

Get More: Free Chinese New Year Printables

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The free printable(s) is (are) a PDF and can be opened with Adobe Reader which is free to use. Printables designed and created by The Purple Pumpkin Blog and its Designers are for PERSONAL USE ONLY and NOT FOR RESALE under any circumstances. You are welcome to print these free printables at a print shop if you don’t have a printer at home, however, some print shops may not print licensed characters. Colours may vary slightly on printing due to different screen and printer settings. You may share this free printable blog post on social media, including Pinterest; as well as share it on your blog/website with a link back to this blog post. Please DO NOT share the PDF on social media or on your blog/website. If you use any of my printables it would be awesome to know about it! Post a picture on the social media platform that you hang out on, and follow me: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest! Use the hashtag #TPPBprintables so I can find you! I hope you enjoy these free printables!

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