For five years, Junzi and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) have been bringing Chinese cultural heritage to a global audience. This year, their collaboration honors the Year of the Snake with a limited-edition chili oil gift set that blends tradition with bold storytelling.
The snake, often misunderstood in both Western religions and Chinese culture, is reimagined in this collection. Inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of The Legend of the White Snake—a tale of love, humanity, and defiance of societal norms—this release symbolizes a powerful reinterpretation of the snake’s narrative. While Western tradition views the snake as a symbol of sin, and Chinese culture cautiously refers to it as the “little dragon,” this collaboration celebrates its deeper significance.
The chili oil set features two flavors: Classic and Sichuan Peppercorn (Tengjiao), representing the duality of the White Snake and Green Snake in the timeless story. The design draws from a traditional Chinese folk painting preserved in The Met’s permanent collection, marking the first time this cherished tale has been introduced to a mainstream American audience.
To bring this vision to life, We, Flybear Printing, served as the supplier for the gift set’s packaging labels. Utilizing embossing and gold foil stamping techniques on specialty paper, We masterfully recreated the vivid colors and intricate style of classical woodblock prints. Their craftsmanship beautifully captures the festive theme while preserving the elegance of traditional art, ensuring a stunning presentation of this cultural story.
“We wanted to use this collection to reverse the snake’s misunderstood symbolism and share a story that represents universal themes of love and resilience,” said the Junzi team.
This special collaboration wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of The Met’s researchers, curators, and partners at Junzi. Pre-orders are now available at shopjunzi.com.
Celebrate the spirit of the snake and its cultural rebirth with this unique culinary and artistic experience.
