Year of The Snake

A Celebration of Renewal.

House of Forme's self-initiated series continues with a unique perspective towards snakes, embodied in our newest bespoke designed red packets for the Year of Snake.

Featuring 16 red packets across four distinct key visuals, our design incorporates the fluid grace of the snake and the timeless cycle of flowers. The subtle celebration of the Year of Snake allows the red packets to be used throughout the year, while the unique stories behind each design bring a thoughtful and intriguing touch to the set.

To embody our commitment to sustainability, each red packet is made in FSC-certified paper and the holder is crafted from recyclable materials.

The Symbol of Eternity.

The ouroboros, a timeless symbol depicting a serpent devouring its own tail, is derived from Greek roots: "oura" meaning tail, and "bora" meaning to eat. In ancient Egypt, the ouroboros signified cycles of repetition, renewal, and the infinite passage of time, encapsulating notions of eternity and perpetual return. Drawing inspiration from this powerful imagery, our red packet design pays homage to the essence of renewal and celebrates the arrival of the Year of Snake.

The Cycle of Seasons.

The red packets are divided into four seasonal themes, each represented by a different flower. The imagery of snake scales concealed within the blossoms connects the intricate grace of the snake to the eternal cycle of blooming flowers. This concept echoes the ouroboros, a snake endlessly consuming its own tail in the flat circle of time.

Spring is the season of rebirth, and among the many new lives bloom the Orchid, embodying fertility, beauty, and prosperity, radiating uncommon grace and flourish. Flickering tongues, subtly hidden in the orchid, delicately guide us to move forward readily on the diverging paths of new beginnings.

Lilies bloom in the fierce summer heat, bringing a refreshing sense of purity of love and enduring connections, making the season a little more bearable. While we wish for love and connections to last forever, the vitality and transformative nature of snakes, symbolised by its sharp, formidable teeth, remind us that change fosters growth. The cycle of life is eventually an intertwining of love and change.

All is yellow and orange when the Lotus emerges from murky water in autumn. Rising above the decay, the lotus represents pure and resilience. Adorned with striking, blinking snake eyes that seem to be alive, their unique presences in the world embodies rebirth and unparalleled strength amidst the season of decomposition.

The Anthurium showcases its full elegance in winter, exemplifying strength and joy, a complete contrast to the lifelessness of the season. The grateful tails of cobras beautifully integrate with the vibrant pistil of the floral, with their vibrant spirit of resilience bringing power and flexibility into the Year of Snake.

The Devil Is In The Details.

Protected by a hardbound, slide-out package, the red packet set’s packaging takes inspiration from a snake shedding its skin. The "M-fold" structure of the red packet holder artfully mimics the sinuous movement of a snake, symbolically carrying blessings through the changing seasons. The red packets are crafted from four different textured pearlescent papers, harmonising beautifully with the shimmering scales of a snake.

By incorporating matte UV finishes alongside red, silver, and gold foil accents in specific areas, the design highlights the distinctive tongue, teeth, eyes and tail of the serpent. This thoughtful approach creates a subtle yet immersive atmosphere for the Year of the Snake. Behind each red packet design lies a hidden narrative, inviting you to contemplate the unique stories embedded in each scale and petal.

Even as we endlessly consume our own tail in the circle of life, we continue to bloom through the seasons.