Red envelope emoji 🧧
The red envelope emoji 🧧 shows a decorative red packet with gold details, used to give money as a gift in Chinese and East Asian traditions.
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What the red envelope emoji means
The red envelope emoji 🧧 shows a small red packet, often decorated with gold, that is used to give money as a gift in Chinese and other East Asian cultures. It represents good luck, prosperity and well-wishes for special occasions.
In China, red envelopes are known as hongbao in Mandarin, while in Korea they are called sebaetdon and in Vietnam lì xì. The colour red symbolises happiness and good fortune, and the gold accents represent wealth. The design may vary slightly across platforms, but the core imagery of a red packet with gold trim remains consistent.
How people use the red envelope emoji
🧧 appears in messages about Lunar New Year, but it has a wider range of uses. People add it to birthday wishes, wedding congratulations, or when talking about receiving or giving money. It often pairs with the firecracker emoji for festive greetings.
In digital conversations, the red envelope emoji can stand in for an actual monetary gift, especially on platforms that support digital red envelopes, such as WeChat. It might be used to say “I sent you a red envelope” or to symbolise a cash gift in a greeting card.
- Wedding congratulations: “Congratulations on your marriage 🧧💍”
- Thanking someone for money: “Thank you for the gift 🧧”
- General good luck wishes: “Good luck on your exam 🧧”
- References to digital red envelopes: “Check your WeChat, I sent you a hongbao 🧧”
Compare red envelope with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| firecrackerU+1F9E8 | Explosive celebration, often used for Lunar New Year | |
| fireworksU+1F386 | Large scale celebration, national holidays | |
| party popperU+1F389 | General celebration, surprise, congratulations | |
| confetti ballU+1F38A | Festive decoration, often used with party popper | |
| sparklesU+2728 | Magic, excitement, or highlighting something special |
How to copy and paste the red envelope emoji
You can copy the red envelope emoji directly from this page by selecting it with your mouse or finger and using the copy function on your device.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can copy it from a website like this one, or use the keyboard shortcut if your system supports emoji insertion.
For developers or those working with code, the red envelope emoji has the Unicode code point U+1F9E7. In HTML, you can use the entity 🧧 to display it. Some apps also support the shortcode :red_envelope:.
Red envelope emoji combinations
🧧 is often paired with other emoji like the party popper or money bag to create a festive message. Here are a few common combinations and what they convey.
- 🧧🧨 — Red envelope and firecracker: Lunar New Year celebration
- 🧧🐉 — Red envelope and dragon: wishes for prosperity and strength
- 🧧🎉 — Red envelope and party popper: general congratulations or gift giving
- 🧧💰 — Red envelope and money bag: specifically about money gifts
- 🧧🎁 — Red envelope and wrapped gift: celebration of a present or bonus
- 🧧🏮 — Red envelope and red paper lantern: festive atmosphere, often for Chinese New Year
The red envelope emoji also appears in longer strings alongside other seasonal emoji like the Christmas tree or balloon for general celebrations, but it is most strongly associated with East Asian traditions and the colour red as a symbol of luck.
Questions people ask
What does the 🧧 emoji mean?
The red envelope emoji represents a traditional red packet used to give money as a gift, symbolizing good luck and prosperity, especially in Chinese and East Asian cultures.
When should I use the red envelope emoji?
Use it during Lunar New Year, weddings, birthdays, or any occasion where you want to wish someone good fortune or acknowledge a monetary gift.
Is the red envelope emoji only for Chinese New Year?
No, it is also used for other celebrations like weddings, anniversaries, and general well-wishes, though it is most strongly associated with Lunar New Year.
How do I type the red envelope emoji?
You can copy it from this page, use the emoji keyboard on your device (usually under the celebration or activities category), or type the Unicode U+1F9E7 in some applications.
What does 🧧 mean in texting?
In texting, 🧧 often represents a monetary gift, good luck, or celebration, particularly in East Asian cultural contexts.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
