Lunar New Year Collection

by ho mei do

This collection celebrates the wheel of the Chinese Zodiac. Legend has it that when the Earth Spirit was creating all things on the planet, it gathered 12 animals and held a race to determine the order of the Chinese Lunar Wheel. The wheel is shaped around a 12-year cycle that celebrates the 12 animals that ran the race: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep/ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Original watercolor art made into hard enamel pins; black rubber pin clutch.

About the designers:
ho mei do (A Cantonese phrase that means delicious, and is commonly used to compliment how good food tastes)

Chinese American sister-brother creatives Ashley Mui and Preston Mui launched ho mei do, celebrating Asian arts and culture, tastefully blending contemporary design with traditional ideas through gifts and home goods. ho mei do honors the legacy of their late grandfather, Bay Area small business leader and restaurateur Wong Shek Chau.

Each zodiac animal represents some traits:

Rat
Attributes: Compassionate, Open-minded, idealistic, sociable, practical, curious, experimental, and affectionate

Ox
Attributes: Kind, Strong, Dependable, Sincere, Creative, Gentle

Rabbit
Attributes: Artistic, Cultured, Peaceful, Sensitive Diplomatic, Modest

Tiger
Attributes: Confident, Kind, Charismatic, Ambitious, Determined, Loyal, Energetic

Dragon
Attributes: Intelligent, Eccentric, Imaginative, Creative, Faithful, Visionary

Snake
Attributes: Wise, Intuitive, Attentive, Attractive, Perceptive, Sensual

Horse
Attributes: Animated, Energetic, Active, Adaptable, Ambitious, Adventurous, Strong

Ram / Sheep
Attributes: Calm, Gentle, Sympathetic, Warm, Elegant, Charming

Monkey
Attributes: Bright, Versatile, Curious, Innovative, Clever, Entertaining

Rooster
Attributes: Observant, Flexible, Courageous, Thoughtful, Confident

Dog
Attributes: Intelligent, Generous, Devoted, Friendly, Faithful

Pig
Attributes: Compassionate, Optimistic, Sociable, Philanthropic, Kind, Patient