Why Are Red Envelopes in Taiwan Given in Even Amounts, While White Envelopes Are Often in Odd? It's Not Just About Color—The Etiquette Behind Is Completely Different

When attending a wedding, elders often remind you to give an even amount in the red envelope. When preparing a white envelope for a friend’s funeral, you might be told, 'The amount should be odd.' But if you think about it, a common white envelope amount like 1,100 NT dollars is mathematically even—so why is it still considered 'odd' in folk tradition? In fact, red and white envelopes differ not just in color, but in their underlying symbolism: one represents celebration, the other condolence, and each follows entirely different etiquette regarding color, amount, and numerical taboos.

Why Are Red Envelopes in Taiwanese Weddings Usually Even? 'Double Blessings' Is Key

In traditional Taiwanese wedding customs, wedding cash gifts (hongbao) are celebratory in nature, and even amounts are typically preferred.

According to wedding etiquette materials compiled by the Chiayi County Government, it is customary to place cash in a red envelope when attending a wedding banquet. The gift amount is usually 'even'—for example, 1,200, 1,600, 1,800, 2,000, 2,200, 2,600, 3,600, or 6,000 NT dollars.

The preference for even numbers stems from the Chinese cultural belief in auspiciousness associated with 'pairs' and 'doubles.' Since marriage unites two people as partners, the idea of 'double blessings' naturally becomes a common numerical symbol in wedding contexts.

The red color of the envelope is also tied to celebratory culture. The Immigration Agency of Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior notes in its New Immigrants Global News that red is traditionally seen as a color of joy and good fortune in Chinese culture. It is commonly used during Lunar New Year, weddings, and other happy occasions to convey blessings.

In other words, from the 'red color' to the 'even number,' everything about a wedding red envelope centers around one wish: for the couple’s marriage to be harmonious and for them to remain a perfect pair.

Why Are White Envelopes Often 'Odd'? Tradition Holds That 'Mourning Should Not Come in Pairs'

At funerals, the logic flips completely.

In traditional funeral customs, the condolence money given by friends and relatives to the bereaved family is often called 'xiangdian' (incense offering). Some local etiquette records state that traditionally, the amount of xiangdian is 'odd,' explained by the belief that 'mourning should not come in pairs'—a way of expressing the hope that misfortune will not repeat itself.

The New Taipei City Police Department’s compilation of folk customs points out that condolence money traditionally uses odd amounts, symbolizing 'mourning should not come in pairs.' Similarly, the Juguang Township Office in Lienchiang County, when introducing local life rituals, records that xiangdian traditionally takes odd amounts and avoids even ones, reflecting the taboo psychology of avoiding 'double mourning' in funeral culture.

Thus, while red envelopes express the hope that happy events 'come in pairs,' white envelopes express the desire that misfortune 'not come in pairs'—forming a completely opposite numerical culture.

1,100 Is Mathematically Even—So Why Is It Considered 'Odd' in White Envelopes?

This is the most commonly misunderstood point.

When people say white envelopes should be 'odd,' they don’t mean it in the mathematical sense of odd versus even numbers.

For example, the common condolence amount of 1,100 NT dollars is mathematically even. However, in traditional etiquette contexts, the focus is often on whether the amount 'starts with 1' or follows a customary 'odd' pattern, rather than whether the total can be divided by 2.

Therefore, simplifying white envelope customs to 'only odd numbers allowed' can lead to misunderstanding. A more accurate understanding is that traditional white envelope amounts follow a custom of 'taking the odd,' rather than strictly adhering to mathematical odd-number rules.

This also explains why 1,100 NT dollars has become a common condolence amount in Taiwan.

Why Are White Envelopes White? Linked to the 'Plain Color' Culture of Funerals

Beyond amounts, the colors of red and white envelopes carry entirely different meanings.

Red symbolizes celebration and good fortune. In contrast, traditional funeral occasions typically use more subdued colors to express mourning and solemnity.

According to traditional funeral etiquette introduced by Yilan County’s Fuyuan, when someone in the family passes away, family members traditionally wear plain-colored clothing such as white or black. Historically, white paper was also used to announce a death.

Thus, the white appearance of the modern 'white envelope' perfectly aligns with the color language of traditional funeral culture.

Strictly speaking, the money inside a white envelope is not just a 'gift'—it is condolence money known as 'xiangdian' or 'xiandian,' primarily used to express grief for the deceased and sympathy for the bereaved family.

The Real Difference Between Red and White Envelopes: One Hopes for 'Pairs,' the Other Hopes for 'An End'

When viewed together, it becomes clear why red and white envelopes have completely opposite preferences for numbers—it’s not simply superstition about odd or even digits.

Red envelopes represent celebration, with even numbers symbolizing pairs and double blessings. White envelopes represent condolence, and the traditional practice of 'taking the odd' reflects the taboo mindset of 'mourning should not come in pairs,' expressing the hope that misfortune will not recur.

One wishes for joyful events to continue, the other hopes that misfortune ends here—that is the true cultural difference behind these two types of ceremonial gifts.

Sources: Chiayi County Government Wedding Etiquette Materials, Ministry of the Interior Immigration Agency New Immigrants Global News, New Taipei City Police Department Folk Customs Materials, Lienchiang County Juguang Township Office Life Ritual Materials, Lanyang Museum, Yilan County Fuyuan.