The Red Envelope Tradition

The Red Envelope Tradition is a Chinese custom that is still used today at the Chinese New Year, weddings, and other special occasions. Money is exchanged in these Red Envelopes. The traditional envelopes have designs on the outside of them depicting the appropriate event for which to use them. Plain red envelopes are just as effective and easier to find.

Today, Feng Shui Practitioners are paid in Red Envelopes to honor this legacy. This tradition shows respect for the sacred work done by the Practitioner and increases the effectiveness of the information that is being shared with the client. It is a way to respect and honor the exchange of money. It also protects the Practitioner from having his/her Chi or energy, drained or weakened when sharing information.


In a Feng Shui appointment the client will be asked to provide anywhere from one to nine new Red Envelopes. The envelopes can be made by the client or they can be decorated with some elements of red to keep with the tradition. It is important that the client take the time and trouble to provide the envelopes since it will begin the personal process of opening up to the information that is given during the consultation.

When paying for a Feng Shui consultation, the client is asked to put the payment in one of the envelopes (which since payment is determined by time, cannot be enclosed until after the consultation is completed). In the other eight envelopes a coin or money is enclosed. All the money in the remaining eight envelopes is donated to charity. The number of coins enclosed would be best received if they added up to nine or multiples of nine (9 cents, 18 cents, 27 cents, $9, $18, $27, etc) The odd numbers are active numbers with the number 9 being the most active and contributes to the quick action of the clients intentions.

The Feng Shui Practitioner places the envelopes under his/her pillow and sleeps on them for one night. The next morning a ceremony is done to seal in the clients intentions and to support them in any changes or enhancements they are trying to make. The money is removed and the envelopes are burned.

If a client decides to share the sacred information given during a consultation, the client likewise must ask the new person to whom the information is bestowed for a Red Envelope. Again inside the envelope is a coin or coins. The client receiving the Feng Shui envelopes puts them under his/her pillow for one night, after which any money can be removed and the envelope burned or destroyed. The client can donate any money received to a charity or choose to keep it for personal use.

Blessings,


Dorine King