One man's trash, another man's treasure
February 26, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
HONGBAO (red envelopes of cash) are a common gift to children and others on the Lunar New Year, but once the money's in hand, the hongbao are normally tossed away like so much trash.
Wei Qing, who lives in the Meilong area, prefers the envelopes to what's inside them. He collects hongbao.
Stepping into his apartment, the fruits of his labor are much in evidence. There are literally hundreds of red envelopes of an artistic nature, all neatly ordered. They are embossed with paintings, landscapes, Chinese zodiac animals, birds and even movie posters.
Wei started his collection in 2005 and has even expanded his search for new and different red envelopes to Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.
"Red envelopes designed and produced overseas are more colorful and fashionable," Wei said.
He said he became obsessed with the artistic end of the holiday tradition when a friend who belongs to the Shanghai Hongbao Collection Salon presented him with an exquisitely designed envelope.
He then realized the diversity and beauty that goes into making artistic red envelopes.
Wei's collection includes a set of red envelopes, made in Malaysia, that are imprinted with the posters of movies.
"It is a common practice for cinemas in Malaysia to present red envelops printed with posters of movies to audiences as a means of promotion," he said.
In 2008, when "Kung Fu Dunk" starring Jay Chou premiered in Malaysia, local cinemas offered a set of six envelops to audiences. Wei managed to secure one for his collection.
He also has red envelopes bearing the movie posters of "CJ7," "Mulan" and "Who am I."
Photos of film stars are also often printed on hongbao. Wei's collection features portraits of singers Tsai Chin, Fei Yuqing, Jonathan Lee, Jolin Tsai and Jacky Cheung.
Wei Qing, who lives in the Meilong area, prefers the envelopes to what's inside them. He collects hongbao.
Stepping into his apartment, the fruits of his labor are much in evidence. There are literally hundreds of red envelopes of an artistic nature, all neatly ordered. They are embossed with paintings, landscapes, Chinese zodiac animals, birds and even movie posters.
Wei started his collection in 2005 and has even expanded his search for new and different red envelopes to Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.
"Red envelopes designed and produced overseas are more colorful and fashionable," Wei said.
He said he became obsessed with the artistic end of the holiday tradition when a friend who belongs to the Shanghai Hongbao Collection Salon presented him with an exquisitely designed envelope.
He then realized the diversity and beauty that goes into making artistic red envelopes.
Wei's collection includes a set of red envelopes, made in Malaysia, that are imprinted with the posters of movies.
"It is a common practice for cinemas in Malaysia to present red envelops printed with posters of movies to audiences as a means of promotion," he said.
In 2008, when "Kung Fu Dunk" starring Jay Chou premiered in Malaysia, local cinemas offered a set of six envelops to audiences. Wei managed to secure one for his collection.
He also has red envelopes bearing the movie posters of "CJ7," "Mulan" and "Who am I."
Photos of film stars are also often printed on hongbao. Wei's collection features portraits of singers Tsai Chin, Fei Yuqing, Jonathan Lee, Jolin Tsai and Jacky Cheung.
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