Lucky Sheep

In Chinese tradition, the sheep carries a gentle and auspicious character. For this zodiac, I chose the soft, rounded form of a woolly sheep — plump, cheerful, and full of a quiet sense of abundance.

The text printed on its body is adapted from Han Sheng’s research on the traditional blessing San Yang Kai Tai (「三陽開泰」). In older Chinese usage, 「羊」 was also associated with 「陽」. The expression describes winter giving way to spring, as darkness recedes and warmth and light begin to return — an auspicious sign for the beginning of a new year.

On either side of the text, I placed two small goats. Together with the central sheep, they form an image of “three sheep,” visually echoing San Yang Kai Tai through the shared sound of yang. The small sun on the sheep’s forehead carries the same idea, turning the “yang” of the blessing into a simple visual symbol.

The pattern draws on the bold, direct language of Chinese paper cutting. The handwritten words, the two small goats, the serrated pattern along the horns, and the sun above its head come together as one New Year image — warm, abundant, and filled with good wishes.