The Jihai canopy mug is Jeff Dayu Shi's ninth release of the Chinese Zodiac mug series. He also has designed mugs for the Chinese years of the rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, monkey, goat, rooster and dog. [Photo provided to www.chinadaily.com.cn]

Many people in China are receiving special gifts symbolizing good luck for Chinese New Year long before the Year of the Pig falls on Feb 5.

A novelty mug in the shape of a pig, created by internationally renowned Chinese designer Jeff Dayu Shi, is one such gift capturing attention. 

The Jihai canopy mug is Shi's ninth release in the Chinese Zodiac mug series. He also designed mugs for the Chinese zodiac years of the rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, monkey, goat, rooster and dog.

It is said in the ancient Chinese book, Categories for In-depth Reference, that with a pig in the house, one can expect good fortune on all counts.

For thousands of years, the pig has always represented fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture. "May there be a bumper harvest of the five grains; may the six domestic animals thrive", is a common saying used by people during Chinese New Year to wish others luck and wealth in the coming year.

The pig, being the first of the six domestic animals, naturally serves as an important symbol of prosperity and happiness. The Chinese people's affection for the pig also can be found in ancient Chinese literature, Shi said.

Marshal Canopy (aka Zhu Bajie), one of the heroes in the classic Chinese fantasy novel, Journey to the West, is a part-human, part-pig creature.

As 2019 will be the Year of the Pig (or "Jihai" as it is referred to in the sex agenary cycle), Shi has designed the special Chinese zodiac mug shaped in the form of a pig, with a large and stout belly that symbolizes "a bumper harvest of the five grains."