The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac in glass
The Chinese zodiac runs through twelve animals, each tied to a year in a fixed cycle. In this collection every sign is a separate, mouth-blown Christmas ornament: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. Together they form the full set, while on their own they are twelve ornaments, each with its own story.
Every animal carries its own meaning
In Chinese tradition each animal stands for particular qualities, which makes an ornament more than decoration: it is a small portrait of a character. Choosing the sign that matches a birth year turns it into something personal.
- Rat: resourcefulness and wit
- Ox: patience and perseverance
- Tiger: courage and drive
- Rabbit: gentleness and tact
- Dragon: strength and good fortune
- Snake: wisdom and intuition
- Horse: freedom and energy
- Goat: warmth and imagination
- Monkey: humour and cleverness
- Rooster: pride and honesty
- Dog: loyalty and devotion
- Pig: generosity and cheer
Looking for more figures for the tree? Browse the wider animal Christmas ornaments collection.
Which animal belongs to your birth year?
Each sign returns in a fixed cycle of twelve years. By tradition, people born under the same animal are said to share something of its character. That makes the sign of a birth year a personal starting point: choose the animal that suits the person you are shopping for, or yourself. Every ornament in this collection clearly shows which creature it represents.
Mouth-blown and hand-painted in Bavaria
The ornaments in this range come from the Inge Glas manufactory in Neustadt bei Coburg, Bavaria, where the Müller-Blech family has passed down glassblowing for generations. Each piece is mouth-blown, silvered on the inside and hand-painted, and only receives the five-point Star Crown® once it has passed inspection, the mark of true handwork. For more from the same workshop, see the full range of Inge Glas Manufaktur Christmas ornaments.
Order in our webshop, or visit us in person at our shop in the centre of Delft. Free delivery from €75, and with any order from €100 you may choose a free ornament.
