Free Printable Red Money Envelopes For Chinese New Year 2021 – Ox!
Home » CREATE » Free Printables » Chinese New Year Printables »Today’s Chinese New Year printables are Red Money Envelopes which have been updated for the Year of the Ox. They are traditionally given to wish a healthy and happy new year.
Chinese New Year 2021 is the Year of the OX and falls on February 12th. 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.
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Red Money Envelopes
The Ox is the second 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 Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox. Thus, Ox became the second animal. – Chinese Zodiac
Your Chinese Zodiac is Ox if you are born in one of these years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1962, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.
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 ox. There are four different designs.
- You will find the download links further down this page surrounded by a purple box. Tap the purple download buttons to save the file(s) to your device.
- I’ve provided two paper sizes – A4 and US Letter (8.5″ x 11″) – use the size that is appropriate for your printer.
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!
Let’s stay in touch! 
Download Red Money Envelopes For Chinese New Year
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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. Please read the full Terms and Conditions. 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!
January 25, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
Thank you for sharing these!
January 25, 2020 @ 4:52 pm
You’re very welcome!
January 2, 2021 @ 12:20 pm
Hi Michelle
I am just preparing this term’s Rainbow session packs to provide to the parents ahead of our virtual meetings. When do you think you will be updating the Chinese New Year Red envelopes to Year of the Ox for this year please as I would love to be able to print some off for my Rainbows.
Many thanks
January 2, 2021 @ 1:59 pm
Hi Michelle
Yes! I am totally updating all of my CNY printables, and as it happens, I’m updating the Red Envelopes today!
January 20, 2020 @ 5:09 pm
Thank you for the envelopes, your work is amazing! Can’t wait to show my Rainbows these and teach them about Chinese New Year!
I was just wondering, what does it say on the envelopes?
January 20, 2020 @ 5:31 pm
You’re very welcome Katie! I hope your Rainbows have fun learning about the Chinese New Year.
My understanding is that the symbols say Happy New Year (Gong Hei Fat Choy in Cantonese) – at least that is what the site I copied over the symbols from said!
January 20, 2019 @ 10:18 pm
Thank you for these! I’ve been downloading them for three years and wanted to let you know how I much I appreciate them!
January 21, 2019 @ 12:45 pm
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad to hear that you have been downloading them for so many years!
January 20, 2017 @ 2:53 pm
These look amazing – last year our local museum put on a craft day for the children and my daughter was fascinated with the culture – may just have to print one off for her, thanks!
January 20, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
I love reading about the beliefs of other cultures and this post was interesting. The red envelopes in your photo are really pretty.
January 19, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
I didn’t realise about how unlucky the number 4 was in Chinese culture. To think as well if you double it and 8 is so lucky!
January 19, 2017 @ 9:05 pm
I learned about it many years ago when I did a Feng Shui course – and that the number 8 is so lucky! Now you’ve said that, it’s got me thinking!!