Lunar New Year is upon us and I am reminded of senses from childhood. Sights of lanterns and fire-crackers hang, delicate paper cuttings adorn the windows, red calligraphy paper with spring couplets beautifully inked, and the smell of firecrackers fills the air. The sweets, oh the sweets! As a Chinese-American, I have learned to appreciate my heritage and traditions. Every Lunar New Year, I get to immerse myself in the beauty of Chinese culture.
Paper Motifs | I feel proud to be an American with Chinese roots where I get to experience a rich history of over 5,000 years of ancient traditions and culture with contemporary aesthetics. One of my favorite traditions is the folk art of paper cutting and in the latest greeting card designs, I have reimagined the delicateness into brush strokes. The intricate paper designs, often depict flowers, animals, and mythical creatures, to symbolize good luck and prosperity. When designing our latest Lunar New Year collection, the idea of paper cutting inspired these drawings originally drawn with ink and brush.
The design process usually begins with many hours of drawing, redrawing, and then trying different mediums to give a good representation of the motifs. I spent hours drawing and recreating delicate peonies with the feeling of gold foil and paper cuttings, each one a unique expression of my creativity. In Chinese culture, peonies symbolize wealth, nobility, and romance. They are considered the "King of Flowers" and are often associated with good fortune and prosperity.
Sweets | No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without the sweet treats! White Rabbit Creamy Candy, with its iconic rice paper wrapper, is a childhood favorite and I've always wanted to paint a design of my own. I also love to indulge in Lucky candies, a symbol of good fortune - a sweet strawberry-flavored candy with a cute shiny red packet foil wrapper. These are some of my favorites in the “box or tray of togetherness,” a beautifully packaged assortment of traditional snacks like dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and sweets. Each item in the box has a special meaning, such as good luck, prosperity, or happiness and the box symbolizes togetherness, sweetness, and joy for the new year, representing blessings for family and friends. I still put White Rabbit candy in our box of togetherness to keep the tradition going with my daughters!
Chinese Zodiac | This year, we welcome the Year of the Snake! Each year is associated with an animal from the 12-year cycle. It is believed that people born in each year carries specific traits based on their zodiac. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be wise, insightful, and graceful. The Year of the Snake is often associated with good fortune, particularly in matters of wisdom and transformation for both career and wealth.
Greeting Cards | I am embracing the traditions that have been passed down through generations, and I am finding new ways to express my own creativity and connect with my heritage. Our Lunar New Year and Spring Occasions Greeting Cards have been designed to include a brief highlight of cultural significance for each of our cards featuring Chinese traditional motifs.
Lion Dancing | The vibrant and energetic lion dance is a quintessential part of Lunar New Year celebrations. The lion, a mythical creature believed to ward off evil spirits, dances through the streets accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals. It's a truly spectacular sight, filled with color, movement, and excitement – one of my absolute favorites. Watching the lion perform its acrobatic feats, tossing lettuce and collecting red envelopes, always brings a smile to my face. It usually ends with loud and bright lighting of firecrackers to ward off bad luck. The bright yellow was reinterpreted into the color palette of our Lunar new year cards, wishing everyone a bright new year!
I hope you have a joyous and prosperous Lunar New Year and enjoy our collection of greeting cards!