For the Year of the Dragon, the newest TD Precious Metals collectibles have been two years in the making.
That's because the dragon zodiac sign is particularly significant to Lunar New Year, explained Jerry Zhao, Senior Designer at TD Securities. That's just one of the reasons why he and his team wanted to get the design just right for this auspicious celebration, which kicks off on February 10.
The process for designing the Year of the Dragon rounds began in 2022. And that meant starting with research.
"Even though I celebrate Lunar New Year, I will still go back and really dig into it, especially when it comes to the animals and the symbolism," he said. He looked at how dragons were traditionally depicted in different Asian cultures, as well as at more modern interpretations.
His parents are also proud. Zhao said that by having a tangible object to present to them, his parents are better able to understand his creative career – and they love sharing the rounds he designs with friends and family in Canada and in China.
Plus, the rounds themselves have a special family connection, too. Zhao isn't the only artist in his family; his mother paints and his father does calligraphy. Since the Lunar New Year rounds at TD each have a traditional Chinese character on them to symbolize that year's zodiac, Zhao wanted to include something different than using an existing font or typeface. So, he had his father hand-write the characters used on the rounds in calligraphy, and incorporated them into his design.
He started this now-annual tradition last year, ahead of the Year of the Rabbit, and plans to continue it for as long as he designs the TD Lunar New Year rounds.
And it's fitting because for Zhao, Lunar New Year is all about family. While growing up, his Lunar New Year celebrations were intimate family occasions. He, his parents, and his brother – and grandparents if they were in town – would gather for a festive meal.
"Looking back," he said, "I don't think I would have it any other way."
To learn more about the Divine Dragon Lunar New Year Bullion Coins, visit the TD Precious Metals site.