Year of the Metal Ox – CNY Red Packet

Let’s collectively welcome in the Year of the Metal Ox for the Lunar New Year of 2021!

Printed on a gorgeous Kaskad Red Robin paper with gold hot-stamp finish, lets celebrate the start of a the second year of the 12-year cycle with this beautiful and symbolic red packets which you can gift to your loved ones or keep for collection. This original ox design is inspired by the ancient practice of Chinese paper cutting. Read the full description for the symbolic meaning of red packets, and the Chinese Zodiac.

• 80mm wide X 165mm tall (vertical design).
• Printed on 220gsm Kaskad Robin Red paper, with gold hot-stamping. (Colours may appear brighter on desktop/mobile screens and due to photography lighting).
• Available in quantities of 4, 8, 12, 24 or 48 in a pack. Also available at larger quantities at bulk prices. Email me for pricing.
• Each pack of red packets come with a metallic gold DL envelope and bonus 4 x Year of the Rat red packets.
• Limited edition print as well as the start of a crazy 12-year project! Save at least one red packet in your collection!

**IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA:
- All orders intended to arrive by Feb 12th (first day of Lunar New Year) are now CLOSED due to postal delivery times. Packets can still be purchased throughout the year for other occasions besides the Lunar New Year including weddings, birthdays, graduations and baby celebrations.

**IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMERS:
- Orders with Regular Shipping to arrive by LNY Feb 12 are now CLOSED due to postal delivery times. Local Pickup can be arranged if you're in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Email me for more info. 
- Orders with Express Shipping to arrive by LNY Feb 12 will close at 10pm Feb 7 as delivery times may take up to 2-3 business days (Depending if VIC or interstate). Free upgrade available for purchases of pack of 8 or more.
- Packets can still be purchased throughout the year for other occasions besides the Lunar New Year including weddings, birthdays, graduations and baby celebrations. and baby celebrations.

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SYMBOLISM

Red Packet / Red Envelope / Money Packet / Ang Pao / Hong Bao

Red packets (or also known as the many names listed above) are traditionally given in Chinese and most East / South-east Asian cultures as monetary gifts for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, the birth of a baby and most importantly during the Lunar New Year. This practice is normally given by parents or elders to young children, however gifting red packets is a form of goodwill so there’s no stopping you from giving to whomever you’d like.

The colour red for the packets symbolise good luck and are symbolic to warding off evil. In modern times, red packets come in all sorts of colours (besides red) and designs. The tradition of giving red packets is a symbolic way for people to share their blessings and to wish good fortune and prosperity for the receiver. Typically, red packets should contain (money) in even numbers except the number 4, which is considered bad luck (8 on the other hand is an auspicious number). When receiving a red packet, do receive it with both hands and be sure to express your gratitude to the giver.

Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle with each year being represented by a different animal. An ancient mythology* describes that the order of animals in the 12-year cycle was a result of a great race organised by the Jade Emperor – one of the most important gods in traditional Chinese religion. The order of the zodiac is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. In Chinese astrology, each zodiac sign is also associated with one of the five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – therefore creating five types of each animal with different characteristics. Do you know your Chinese Zodiac?

The Year of the Metal Ox

The Ox is the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac that follows the Rat. In the race story, the Rat was tired and couldn’t cross the river which was close to the finish line. It then asked the humble Ox for assistance. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive  and when they were close to the finish line, the quick-witted rat jumped off the Ox and dashed towards the Jade Emperor, therefore bringing the Ox into second place. (*This story is widespread and varies slightly among Chinese mythology).

The Ox is representative of being diligent, determined, dependable and strong. People born in the year of the Ox are known to be logical, hardworking, persistent and honest.

You are born in the year of the Ox if you were born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.

2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox and also the year of hard work. This year the Lunar New Year falls on Friday February 12th.