At the top of our website, you will see our wedding logo. The emblem at the center of our wedding logo is a visual union of our last names, representing our partnership and the beginning of our shared life together. 

Surrounding it are five bats, a powerful and auspicious symbol in Chinese culture. In Chinese, the word for bat, 蝠 (fú), is a homophone for 福 (fú), meaning fortune, blessing, and good luck. For this reason, bats have long appeared in imperial art, architecture, textiles, and ceremonial objects.

The motif of five bats dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and represents the Five Blessings (五福, wǔ fú): longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful life. Traditionally arranged in a circular formation, the five bats signify harmony, completeness, and blessings.

Beyond its historical meaning, the bat also holds deep personal significance for our family. The bat has long been a prominent symbol in Ryan’s family, connected to his grandfather’s work and legacy. On the evening of our engagement celebration, Steph’s family hosted close friends and Ryan’s family for dinner in their garden. Midway through the night, two bats suddenly appeared and began circling above us for nearly 45 minutes. We were completely surprised, especially given that despite living in Beijing for over twenty-four years, we had never seen bats in the city before, nor have we seen them since.

When Ryan’s mom noticed them, she was immediately struck by the sight, seeing their appearance as a blessing from her own parents. It was a moment that felt undeniably meaningful for us.

Because of this, the logo perfectly brings together our personal histories and cultural symbolism – carrying deep intention, fortune, and the many blessings from our community into our marriage.