The Silence Beneath Red Lanterns
This project reinterprets the traditional Chinese legend of the Nian Beast through a contemporary lens, presented in the form of a red envelope set. Each envelope features an illustration from a sequential narrative that traces the evolution of Chinese New Year customs—from the mythical origins of the Nian to the diminishing traditions in modern society. The eight illustrated scenes explore themes of fear, resistance, and cultural transformation, highlighting how collective rituals once rooted in shared identity have gradually given way to individualism. Through a fusion of folk motifs, symbolic color palettes, and modern visual storytelling, this work invites reflection on what is lost when traditions fade, and how myth can still hold power in today’s changing world.
