Deemed a dirty pest, rats enjoy a better reputation in Chinese astrology, taking the lead as the first zodiac sign.
The rodent earned this top ranking, according to legend, for tricking an ox to give it a ride to a party held by the Jade Emperor.
The order of the 12-year-cycle Chinese zodiac, hence, became rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Once again, the spotlight falls on the witty critter as 2020 is the Year of the Rat, which will begin on Jan 25.
Commissioned by King Power, fashion designer and illustrator Phannapast Taychamaythakool has imagined a clan of rat characters, to mark the Lunar New Year.
As might be expected, the family is Chinese. Ah gong (grandpa), ah mah (grandma), pa (dad), ma (mum) as well as a hia (elder brother) and ah muay (younger sister) symbolise longevity, health, abundance and prosperity, wealth, happiness and fortune.
Under "The Blessing Comes Home" theme, together they represent tradition and how the Chinese New Year is family time.
Auspicious illustration by Phannapast Taychamaythakool. photos courtesy of King Power
Traditions include offering sacrifices to ancestors and the God of Fortune, New Year shopping, family-reunion dinners, eating dumplings, shaking a container of fortune-telling sticks, giving red envelopes containing money, wearing new clothes. Some of these activities are displayed in Phannapast's latest work.
Set against a backdrop inspired by ancient Shantang Street in Suzhou, China, the cute rat characters will come alive through augmented reality (AR) technology, from Jan 23 until Feb 1, at King Power Complex Rangnam.
The Thai artist is notable for fantastical illustrations of animals wearing stylish clothing and posing as humans. Her collaboration with Gucci, for instance, featured various creatures dressed in the Italian brand's clothing with floral patterns and details.
Likewise, she designed outfits with auspicious motifs, such as bats, dragons, flowers and a peach, for the adorable rat family, to auspiciously ring in the Chinese New Year.
