More than Luck and Fortune: A Blessing Called Fú福

An ancient character enduring the tides of time, a mark on the front doors of the Chinese diaspora wherever they go: Fú福. It means having enough to last for this year and the next, having boisterous laughter shared among kins to echo through the generations, having a supernatural peace with self and the world. It is enjoying the tropical sunset on a rocking chair over a cuppa with your favourite person, and recognising that the cup has indeed runneth over. Something to be received and never forced― Fú福 is a shared aspiration, our deepest yearning, and a collective prayer. 给你祝福 (Sending you Fú福)

Why We Wrote This

We first penned this short piece of prose for what we thought would be an accompaniment for a seasonal packaging. But to our surprise and delight, people, especially those who didn’t grow up with the tradition, kept asking for it even after the festivities were over.

That meant the world to us—because we didn’t write this just to decorate or fill a space. We wanted to honour something quietly powerful that we witnessed growing up.

A Blessing That Travels

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, follows the lunisolar calendar, and marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. It is celebrated on the same date by Chinese communities across the world.

Every year, the character 福 makes its boldest appearance—on red packets, gift boxes, walls, and doors. It is often translated simply as “fortune” or “luck,” but for those who’ve grown up with it, 福 is one word that holds so much hope and meaning for an entire people. It is a symbol that has followed the Chinese diaspora for generations, transcending borders and time.

Ancient Origins, Modern Life

The character 福 can be traced all the way back to the Shang dynasty’s oracle bone script (1600–1046 BC), first inscribed on tortoise shells and animal bones. Like many early Chinese characters, its origins are pictorial. The 福 character is said to be symbolic of a vat of wine placed on a worship altar— a prayer for divine blessings.

While its written form has evolved over the centuries, its essence has stayed the same. It is not uncommon for families to leave their 福 décor up all year long, just as some others might keep a Christmas tree out for months—not out of forgetfulness, but as a quiet prayer. Because 福 is a blessing. A hope for ourselves. An offering to each other.

What It Means to Us

For us, 福 is found in the hum of a kitchen during reunion dinner. In the sound of cheesy New Year songs playing in the background—and in how we all sing along anyway, despite pretending to roll our eyes. It’s in how we form pineapple tarts into perfect little suns—not just for tradition, but also to carry a memory forward.

As a brand rooted in Southeast Asia, we’re endlessly curious about the history and cultures we belong to. We don’t claim to be scholars. But we do believe in participating in the continuous conversation between tradition and modernity. Appreciating our past, and creating forward with intention. 

We're truly grateful that our small, thoughtful choices in design, language, and story have found a home with you and many others.

So this year, and for many more to come, we offer you more than sweetness. We offer you 福. May you have more enough. May you laugh till your tummy aches. Better yet, gain that six packs you've always wanted.

And may your cup always run over.