National Museum of China has launched a new line of fridge magnets that have quickly gone viral on Chinese social media. Inspired by the phoenix coronet of Empress Xiaoduan from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), these magnets are available in both wood and metal styles, meticulously crafted to reflect the coronet's original design.
The magnets' popularity is evident in their impressive sales figures. Liao Fei, deputy head of the museum's operation and development department, revealed that around 80,000 magnets have been sold within just three months, contributing to merchandise sales of over 10 million yuan (approximately $1.4 million).
According to the 2024 Cultural and Creative Industry Report by Shanghai-based Mob research institute, more than 95 percent of respondents expressed their intent to purchase cultural and creative products, with 74.1 percent aiming to collect them. The report highlights that the emotional and cultural value of these products plays a significant role in attracting consumers.
Liao Fei clarified a misconception that the fridge magnets have brought the phoenix coronet to fame, stating, \"That is not the case.\" He added that after noticing many visitors took photos of the phoenix coronet at the museum, the team decided to develop related cultural and creative products.
In addition to wooden magnets, the museum introduced metal ones featuring augmented reality (AR) special effects. Consumers can scan a QR code to see how the coronets are worn, enhancing the interactive experience. Due to the high demand, production levels have increased, with daily output of wooden magnets reaching 5,000 pieces and metal ones rising from 3,000 to 5,000 pieces.
Reference(s):
Museum-inspired fridge magnets boost confidence in Chinese culture
cgtn.com
