Traditionally given during holidays and special occasions, hong baos are a symbol of good luck and prosperity for many Asian cultures.
Depending on their intended use, hong baos will feature different colours, sizes and iconography. Chinese wedding symbolism is deeply rooted in tradition, with designs typically conveying wishes for happiness, prosperity and longevity. Common motifs include peonies (honour and wealth), mandarin ducks (loyalty), double happiness kanji (joy and unity) and paired dragon/phoenix designs (harmony between masculine and feminine).
Whether shown together or separately, dragons and phoenixes are extremely significant in Chinese culture. Dragons are shown as powerful and lucky, embodying strength and authority, while phoenixes symbolise virtue, beauty and grace.
Historically, phoenixes were separated into two genders — the masculine feng and the feminine huang. As dragons were increasingly used to symbolise male power (specifically the emperor), the two genders were blurred into one and named the fenghuang — the feminine phoenix we know today. Paired phoenix and dragon designs came to represent the empress and emperor, and today symbolise harmony between a husband and wife.
While dragon and phoenix iconography beautifully represent opposite-sex couples, it carries an inherently heteronormative perspective — ackowledging only marriages involving a husband and wife. A fun and subversive way to include diverse relationships with traditional symbology is to instead use dual phoenix and dragon designs to represent gay and lesbian relationships.
Hopefully, we’ll see more designs that celebrate queer culture and love in the future!
