Zodiac Ox Mug symbolizes hope for new year

To celebrate the symbolic significance of the ox in Chinese culture, Shi, founder of the Dragonfly Design Center in Beijing, has designed the Zodiac Ox Mug using the buffalo as its key motif.

The mug features a curvy, asymmetrical silhouette. On one side, a relief depicts an idyllic image of rural life, where a majestic buffalo roams carefree in a pond with half of its body above water, while a rice hat-wearing farm boy lies on its back.

"The reason for choosing the buffalo of all bovine species is because for Chinese farmers, a paddy-plowing buffalo is a vital member of a family and essential to their livelihood," Shi said.