Zodiac Ox Mug symbolizes hope for new year

The toad, though sitting on the leaf, looks vivid and animated, ready to take a leap.

"It represents the hope that after a year of rest and inactivity, we will see a lot of action and progress in the New Year," Shi said.

Inside the lid is a bagua (meaning Eight Trigrams in Chinese) diagram, which, according to Taoist cosmology, represents the fundamental principles of reality and thus holds the key to all the mysteries in the universe.

"2020, the Year of the Rat, has not been kind to the world, and we wish the upcoming Year of the Ox will turn things around. Therefore, the action of turning the lid represents the hope everything turns out better for you," Shi said.

The built-in side slit of the lid is positioned right at the gen section, which sits on the northeast part of the bagua diagram and represents fortune. This, combined with the golden toad tied to a string that comes out of the slit, symbolizes the arrival of great wealth.