As we bid farewell to the Year of the Tiger, we are leaping to new heights in the year of the Rabbit. A gracious diplomat, the well mannered Rabbit is considerate and thoughtful. The Rabbit is considered the luckiest of the 12 zodiac animals and symbolizes longevity. Under the influence of the water element, this year’s Water Rabbit brings with it a year of peace and tranquility. As an airline that prides itself in providing the most care in the air, Alaska Airlines embodies the spirit of the Rabbit and honors this year’s celebrated animal with its Peace to Home rabbit sculpture.
Blue clouds and cherry blossoms represent good luck and safe travels in the year of the Water Rabbit. Plum blossoms along the back of the sculpture represent loyalty, strength, and success. The Chinese knot with the upside down “fu” symbolizes unity, family gathering, peace and love. Chinese coins throughout the body ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, health, and peace. Chinese-style clouds representing good luck and good fortune. Clouds are also an omen of peace.
Artist Bio: Deyi (Robin) Zhao
Deyi (Robin) Zhao was born in Jilin, China, and came to the US when she was 9 years old. Her grandmother, Yumei Hou, worked as the main carver for the SF Chinese New Year statues and her father worked building floats. Robin grew up helping paint and decorate the floats and loved seeing all the objects for the floats come together piece-by-piece. She continues to be excited to contribute to this public art project and have her piece displayed in the city for the third year in a row.
Being surrounded by both traditional art forms and new digital media, Robin has developed a keen eye for art and design. In addition to her years of working on Parade Floats, at the young age of 21 she has also taught various arts and crafts classes to children and adults, interned at YouTube, and is now in her third year of college at the California College of the Arts.
