Welcoming the Year of the Dragon
Giáp Thìn 2024 heralds a time of ascent and transformation—when the dragon takes flight, and the carp becomes dragon in the timeless legend of “Ngư hoá long”. This powerful symbol of metamorphosis embodies the human spirit’s longing to rise, grow, and transcend—personally, familially, and nationally.
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As the foremost of the Four Sacred Creatures—Dragon, Qilin, Turtle, and Phoenix—the Dragon ushers in a New Year rich in blessings, prosperity, and multiplied fortune. Celebrating this spirit, designer Ngô Như Hồng presents “The Imperial Mark”, a unique and original gift collection inspired by the imperial dragon motifs of the Nguyễn dynasty.
This collection is a refined fusion of Eastern philosophy and modern artistry. Each design is meticulously hand-drawn and then enhanced through advanced technologies such as UV printing and laser engraving on wood. It artfully bridges tradition and contemporary utility—bringing cultural depth into modern-day practicality..
The finely crafted pieces reveal layers of Vietnamese religious consciousness, aesthetic sensibilities, and cultural practices—always returning to the harmony between human life and nature. The motifs reflect the spirit of the imperial dragon, and every line and detail has been carefully chosen to preserve and advance the legacy of royal Vietnamese wood carving.
Through these designs, the creator subtly invokes the symbolic nature of the Dragon—an emblem of origin and ancestral pride. The work “Hidden Dragon Among Clouds” also explores the concept of emptiness (tính KHÔNG), expressing a contemplative message rooted in both Eastern and Western metaphysical traditions—of returning to zero, to stillness, and to the essence of being.
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NHU HONG – The Essence of Vietnamese Artistic Design
For the first time, hand-drawn artistry by a Vietnamese designer has been successfully translated into wooden handicraft gift products, capturing the soft, elegant lines of traditional brushwork in souvenir and gift box collections. This marks a milestone for the fine woodcraft industry—elevating cultural gifts into refined artistic expressions.
The Imperial Mark Collection is the first to harmoniously combine artistic spirit with a contemporary expressive form. Behind each gift lies a journey of experience and craft—from the quiet mindfulness of the sketch, to the heartfelt message of the artist, to the modern techniques of skilled artisans—all coming together to preserve tradition while bringing Spring’s vitality to life.
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The designer also seeks to share messages of peace, reunion, prosperity, and well-being. In the work “Three Sacred Creatures in Harmony with Water”, the aspiration is to express enduring balance in the cosmic triad of Heaven – Earth – Humankind.
Let us welcome the New Year by spreading love, sharing fortune, and embracing the spirit of Giáp Thìn 2024 through the Imperial Mark—a truly one-of-a-kind design collection
