Stunning Symobolism

By Joseph Luparello

With wishes of luck and longevity, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit limited edition packaging is vibrantly illustrated by fashion industry rising star, Shanghaibased designer Angel Chen.

When creating the stunningly symbolic bottle design, Chen was inspired by the craft of making exceptional Scotch that Master Blender Emma Walker and her team bring to Johnnie Walker Blue Label—a whiskey made using some of the rarest whiskies from unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.

The striking bottle design includes a dynamic, modern interpretation of 2023’s Zodiac animal, the sprightly rabbit. Symbolizing mercy, elegance, and beauty, the rabbit represents longevity in traditional Asian culture. As an echo of the Johnnie Walker motto, “Keep Walking,” prancing rabbits are captured bounding amongst mountainous peaks.

Elaborating on her masterpiece, Chen, who attended the prestigious Central Saint Martin College of Art (London), shares, “There’s a defiant energy to my illustrations which bring to life the vibrant spirit of the rabbit as it leaps across the design, symbolizing how we need to keep moving forward, spreading goodness throughout the year to come.”

For some, ringing in the new year signifies the perseverance of will and the strength to keep marching forward regardless of life’s seemingly endless trials and tribulations.

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