Tu Dwen, a rabbit figurine dressed in a space suit (COURTESY PHOTO)  

Spring Festival 2023 will fall on January 22. It will be the Year of the Rabbit, one of the 12 zodiac animals representing one year of the 12-year lunar cycle. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is known for its kindness and is considered a symbol of wit. Chinese porcelain producers have been producing rabbit-themed ornaments, tableware and practical items to greet the festival. 

Quanzhou Shunmei Group Co. Ltd., a porcelain company based in Dehua County, in Fujian Province, has designed two rabbit figurines named Tubao and Tu Dwen. Tubao carries a lucky bag, which symbolizes good fortune. Tu Dwen, dressed in a space suit, pays tribute to the rapid development of China's aerospace industry.  

In addition to Chinese zodiac culture, other traditional elements have been integrated with the figurines. "You can find the word fu or 'fortune' on the legs of the rabbits, which symbolizes wishing the country prosperity and the people happiness," Zheng Pengfei, General Manager of Quanzhou Shunmei Group, told Beijing Review. 

The company also designs figurines that incorporate international styles. For example, it produces a rabbit figurine wearing a blue floral dress imitating a classic pose of Marilyn Monroe, a well-known American actress of the 20th century. 

A rabbit figurine (center) imitating the pose of Marilyn Monroe (COURTESY PHOTO) 

In the past, Chinese zodiac porcelain products have mainly been used as decorations. However, this year porcelain producers in Dehua have produced rabbit-themed practical items, including money boxes, night lights, plates and bowls, all of which are either in the form of rabbits or decorated with rabbit patterns. 

Dehua has long been famous for its white porcelain. The local government is making great efforts to develop its porcelain industry by building several industrial parks to home porcelain producers and related enterprises. In the past five years, a total of 234 porcelain enterprises have been established in the county. The establishment of the parks has formed a comprehensive chain of porcelain production in Dehua.  

Additionally, an exhibition is being held in Dehua to promote its latest white porcelain products with creative designs. "Dehua's porcelain producers can not only produce goods in bulk, but are also good at design. We hope to make Dehua white porcelain known to more people," Zhang Zixun, Executive Dean of the Research Institute of Innovation and Development of the Porcelain Industry in Dehua. The exhibition is organized by the institute.   

Today, Dehua is home to 4,000 ceramic enterprises, creating 100,000 jobs. Seventy percent of Dehua's ceramic products are exported, reaching 190 countries and regions.  

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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