This is a red envelope from my grandmother in 2023. It is a money gift given during Lunar New Years, people use it to wish others happiness and health in the new year. The number of money carries special meanings, because they could symbolize good luck and bad luck, just like Americans do not like 13. For example, 4 should never appear in the red envelope, for the reason that it sounds like death in Chinese. Additionally, red presents fortune. And that was my last red envelope from my grandmother since my family immigrated here and my grandma did not come with us, so I never used the money in it, I hope the luck in it may protect me, and it also carries the connection with my grandma and my homeland. Although I seldom go back to my country, whenever I see it, it makes me remember all the good times with my grandma, the stories she told me and her Asian style new year eve big meal. This Asian culture makes me a little bit different as an immigrant, it gives me some courage in the US, it also tells me that I can still retain some Asian culture, when I'm trying to fit in American culture.

– JT

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant