Culture Insider: Admission letters in ancient China

How was an admission letter delivered?

Nowadays, admission letters are delivered by China Post, while in ancient times, delivery of the admission letter involved a very solemn government procedure. A special team would be assembled to deliver the letter, with an official riding on a tall horse, raising up a flag in the front, and a band followed behind playing cheerful music and lighting fire crackers to celebrate.

After receiving the admission letter, the host would give red envelopes containing cash to the delivery men as lucky money. The letter would then be posted in the most prominent position in the hall of the candidate's home as a proud honor.