Lunar New Year celebrations are rich in tradition, with rituals, greetings, and practices often connected to superstitions. From lucky talismans to happy habits, we asked the graphic artist and illustrator behind our eye-catching Year of the Dragon coffee collection designs, WHOSMiNG, to talk us through what Lunar New Year superstitions mean to him—and the joy in developing your own rituals and traditions.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR DAILY COFFEE RITUAL
I brew coffee every day once I get to the office. Typically, it's two cups a day. I make myself a flat white to kickstart my work mode. After a few hours, when I want to unwind, I pour over another cup for myself. I really enjoy the process of brewing coffee; it's quite therapeutic for me. I also love collecting aesthetically pleasing mugs, and my own brand has released travel mugs. I usually choose a mug based on my mood while brewing coffee.
DO YOU FOLLOW ANY SUPERSTITIONS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES?
I don’t consider myself particularly superstitious, but I do try and follow the Lunar New Year traditions. Most Eastern people approach these customs with a sense of respect, doing their best to adhere to them within their means. However, customs can vary in significance, and widely known ones, such as not sweeping the floor, or washing your hair during the festivities, are more commonly followed. Generally, if something is lesser-known or too minor, people might not pay much attention to it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY TALISMANS THAT TRAVEL WITH YOU?
I used to always take out my ‘Squeeze Toy Aliens’ for a photo wherever I went, symbolising that I visited a certain place. However, for the past decade or so, I haven't been taking pictures with them. Still, I carry them when I travel, feeling that they bring me good luck.
BASEBALL HATS FEATURE IN YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS AND YOUR STYLE: A LUCKY SYMBOL, OR JUST PART OF YOUR OUTFIT?
Since high school, I've had a passion for collecting hats. Initially, it might have been for fashion, but later it became a habit. In recent years, I find myself wearing hats mainly for events so, in most photos, you'll see me with one. Ironically, because of this, I don't often wear baseball caps in my personal time. I feel that baseball caps have a kind of work-related formality, and I prefer choosing other hats for my off-duty moments.
DO YOU HAVE A LUCKY COLOUR OR NUMBER?
I’m not sure if they’re lucky, but my favourite colours are black and white. I think 26 is my lucky number, which corresponds to my birthday.
WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU IN THE CHINESE ZODIAC?
People don’t really tend to talk about the Chinese zodiac in the same way as they do about horoscopes, but I belong to the zodiac sign of the Pig, which I used to find quite cute when I was younger!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON?
I hope to explore more stories of travel and coffee, living joyfully amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
May the Lunar New Year bring you prosperity and good health—and exceptional coffee. Shop the Lunar New Year collection here.
