The old cigarette label carries the historical story of the development of Chinese cigarettes
China's old cigarette label is not only a cigarette package, but also a witness to the development history of cigarettes in this period. The birth of each old cigarette label contains the characteristics of that era.
Their names and designs are a testament to the history of Chinese cigarettes from scratch to flourishing.
From the initial entry of foreign tobacco merchants into China, to the establishment of their own tobacco companies by Chinese people, to the emergence of various old cigarette labels with different styles, every historical node can be found in the design of these old cigarette labels.
It is the existence of these old cigarette labels that allows us to look back and witness the development of cigarettes in China from today's perspective. They are the link between the past and the present, and they deserve to be remembered with warm eyes.
In 1902, foreign businessmen entered the tobacco market, and the Chinese founded Nanyang Brothers
In 1902, American businessmen introduced "old car" cigarettes to China, opening a precedent for foreign tobacco companies to enter the Chinese market. Other foreign tobacco manufacturers have also come to China to set up joint ventures with China and occupy a dominant position.
In a foreign-dominated market, it is undoubtedly difficult for Chinese to want their own cigarette brands.
In 1908, the birth of Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company became the first cigarette company that truly belonged to the Chinese, which is undoubtedly worth commemorating. The first cigarette "Double Happiness" they launched poured out the Chinese people's yearning for a better life, which attracted much attention.
Although foreign businessmen were quite dissatisfied with this, Nanyang Brothers did not back down and renamed "Double Happiness" to "Double Happiness" and relaunched it, setting off a boom again. In the foreign-dominated tobacco market, the establishment of Nanyang Brothers is undoubtedly of epoch-making significance, and has also become an important cornerstone for the development of China's tobacco industry in the future.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the design of the old cigarette label was in full bloom
At the beginning of the 20th century, with the vigorous development of China's cigarette market, a variety of unique old cigarette labels were also introduced, showing the blossoming of cigarette packaging design.
In 1909, the Nanyang Brothers launched the "Big Rooster" cigarette, which was packed with a rooster singing and was full of energy and popularity. In the 70s of the last century, cigarettes such as "Workers and Peasants" and "New Dawn" were launched one after another, and their cigarette label designs combined with the theme of "Workers' and Peasants' Alliance, Building New China" during that period, which was full of profound meaning.
In 1968, in order to commemorate the event of foreign countries giving mangoes to China, "Mango" cigarettes were specially launched, and the cigarette label was painted with a faint mango, which was full of creativity.
In addition, "Goldfish", "Alliance", "Feipeng", "Ancient Money" and other innovative designs of old cigarette labels have also come out, each with ingenuity and different styles.
The design of the old cigarette label during this period is not only a commercial packaging, but also a concentrated commentary on that historical era. They record the bits and pieces of China's social development, reflect the emotional needs of people in different periods, and become living fossils of visual design in this period.
These old cigarette labels show us the diversity of early cigarette packaging designs, and it is worth savoring the historical imprints of them.
In 1949, "mass production" cigarettes symbolized the birth of New China
In 1949, after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Shenyang Cigarette Factory launched the "mass production" of cigarettes, which contained the sustenance and blessings for the birth of New China.
"Mass production" cigarettes were originally named "new production", implying that China's cigarette industry ushered in new development after the birth of a new country. It was subsequently renamed "Big Production" to echo the "Big Production" movement of socialist construction in that period, while improving the formula.
Its cigarette label design incorporates the image of workers and peasants, symbolizing the unity and struggle of all classes and common construction.
"Large-scale" cigarettes are deeply loved by the Chinese people, and they are even sent to the front line of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea as condolences. Its appearance witnessed the moment when New China had just been born, and it radiated new hope for the Chinese people.
The name and design of "mass production" have preserved the glorious historical moments of China, and also allowed future generations to see the joy and expectation of the birth of a new country through this old cigarette label.
In the 70s of the 20th century, "thrifty" and "rich" cigarettes were popular
In the late 70s of the last century, China implemented reform and opening up, and people's desire to improve their lives was increasing. With this historical background, two old cigarette labels, "diligence and thrift" and "getting rich", have also come out one after another.
"Diligence and thrift" cigarettes were the first to be put on the market, and its green cigarette case and eye-catching red letters were particularly in line with that era of diligence and thrift. It was followed by "get rich" cigarettes, and the word "get rich" on the cigarette box hit the psychology of people at that time and instantly detonated the market.
These two old cigarette labels with a straightforward name hit the psychology of the Chinese people's desire to become rich, and the price was very close to the people, and they were soon warmly sought after. Their popularity reflects the aspirations of ordinary people in that era to improve their lives, and they have become a testimony to the changes in society.
In 1979, a unified "cooperative brand" cigarette was launched
In 1979, the state approved the unified launch of "cooperation brand" cigarettes nationwide, which is of special significance in the history of Chinese cigarettes. The "cooperative brand" not only unifies the name, but also unifies the production, price, launch and withdrawal time, which can be said to create a "unified cigarette label".
The launch of "cooperative brand" cigarettes reflected the characteristics of unified planning and strengthened management of the state during that period. It also carries the long-cherished wish of the people to unite and cooperate to create a better life.
Despite its short market lifespan, "cooperative" cigarettes have become a unique landscape in the history of cigarettes, leaving a precious historical imprint.
After the 80s of the 20th century, the old cigarette label withdrew from the stage of history
After entering the 80s of the 20th century, with the development of society and the change of consumer tastes, these old cigarette labels began to fade out of people's field of vision and gradually withdrew from the historical stage.
Old cigarette labels such as "Double Happiness", "Big Rooster" and "Workers and Peasants" have been discontinued one after another and no longer appear in the tobacco market.
The disappearance of these old cigarette labels has made many people feel regretful and reluctant. Because in their hearts, these old cigarette labels not only bring a momentary enjoyment, but also represent the collective memory of people in that era.
Those cigarette label designs full of historical imprints, and those names that entrust people's beautiful imagination, all touch the heartstrings of the Chinese people. The remnants of these old cigarette labels show people the bits and pieces of the development of Chinese cigarettes, which deserve to be preserved for future generations to recall the past.
The historical trend is mighty, and the old cigarette labels have become a thing of the past, but they remain a warm imprint in the national memory, and will make people remember and reminisce for a long time.
This is like a generation that has left the stage of life, but the memories of their youth will be passed on to the next generation.
The old cigarette label is a witness to the development of cigarettes in China
More than 100 years ago, foreign businessmen brought cigarettes, a brand-new product, into the Chinese market, opening a chapter in the history of our tobacco industry. At first, smokers were introduced to foreign cigarettes, with colorful cigarette cases and strange names.
Soon, cigarettes such as "old cars" and "Pinhai" became popular among Chinese people.
The first half of the 20th century was the heyday of China's cigarette industry. With the vigorous development of national industry and commerce, many national cigarette brands came into being. Among them, the "Double Happiness" independently developed by Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company was deeply loved by the Chinese people as soon as it was launched, and became a favorite of people during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it has been developed again, and it is still being inherited and carried forward today.
After the reform and opening up, China's tobacco market has undergone great changes. A number of old cigarettes have withdrawn from the stage of history one after another, and have been replaced by new cigarettes with fancy appearance and lack of connotation.
At the same time, those old cigarette labels rich in national memory have gradually exited the market and become a bright work of art in the eyes of collectors. They have witnessed the vicissitudes of Chinese cigarettes for a hundred years, and also confirmed the blood and tears of a nation's growth.
The historical, cultural and emotional imprints in the old cigarette labels
If cigarettes are just a consumer product, then the old cigarette label is the carrier of the history and culture behind these "consumer goods". Their patterns, more complex or simple, are a reflection of the collective memory of a generation.
The words red and "double happiness" express Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company's unremitting pursuit of national independence. Under the background of foreign-dominated markets, their first self-developed domestic cigarettes became the pride of Chinese for a time.
This pride and pride reached a climax during the Anti-Japanese War, and the "Double Happiness" became a spiritual symbol for the soldiers to fight against the strong enemy. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it continued to flourish and became the embodiment of the feelings of family and country in the memory of a generation.
The "Big Rooster" cigarette sends good wishes to the Chinese people through the high-pitched rooster crowing and the golden morning sun, containing people's vision and hope for a bright future. "Workers and Peasants" and "New Dawn" and other old cigarette labels express the common dream of people in the early days of the founding of New China through the painting composition and slogans of large color blocks.
The five-star red flag, the roar of the machine, and the unity of all people, it was a surging era.
The word "unity" best sums up the spiritual standard of the Chinese in the last century. Whether it is industry or tobacco, all "unity" is in the belief attribute of the people at that time.
This also proves that the spirit of unity and struggle of the Chinese nation is an inexhaustible source of the continuous development of this ancient country.
What is the charm of the old cigarette label
Compared with the current variety of cigarette boxes, the design of the old cigarette label is not "low-key and noble". Their simple packaging is where the unique charm of these cigarettes comes from.
The old cigarette labels are like magic mirrors, looking at the bits and pieces of China's modern history. Abstract color blocks, soft lines, and patterns reveal a strong iron backbone.
The joy and struggle of all the people of New China to promote modernization, the bright smiles on the faces of the peasants after liberation, and the heroic ambition of the soldiers to resist the enemy...... These old cigarette labels carry the national spirit of the Chinese people's unremitting self-improvement and perseverance.
Because of its rich connotation, the old cigarette label exudes a unique Chinese flavor. The original intention and intention of the brand founder are shown in front of the Chinese people through simple pictures, which coincides with the simple and unpretentious virtues and feelings of the older generation.
This design concept and aesthetic taste represent the moderate and stable national character of the Chinese nation.
What is surprising is that in the era of poor conditions, the older generation of tobacco technicians were able to exert unlimited creativity and design old cigarette labels with artistic appeal. They disdain to compete with foreign goods, but on the basis of traditional Chinese aesthetics, they use minimalist techniques to outline the new atmosphere of the nation.
It is this rational and ethereal design that gives the old cigarette label a unique charm.
The old cigarette label is worth cherishing and inheriting
The yellowed old cigarette labels carry the blood and tears of the Chinese. From the May Fourth Movement to the founding of the People's Republic of China, from the "three-year natural disaster" to the reform and opening up, they have silently witnessed the suffering and glory of the Chinese nation in modern times.
It can be said that the old cigarette label is a historical mark of China's social changes, which is worthy of our memory and cherishment.
These simple drawings contain the essence of traditional Chinese virtues. Be diligent and thrifty, work in unity, forge ahead, and be optimistic...... The older generation of tobacco technicians inadvertently condensed the virtues of the Chinese into the cigarette label, and also achieved the extraordinary significance of these ordinary goods.
Nowadays, these old cigarette labels have become an important window for us to learn Xi excellent traditional culture and carry forward the national spirit.
In the context of rapid social changes, many people have gradually forgotten those vigorous historical years. However, the old cigarette label can awaken our historical memory, so that we living in the era of peace can re-examine the development trajectory of the country and the nation, and draw momentum from it.
Perhaps, it is this layer of historical and emotional connection that gives the old cigarette label a unique and long-lasting cultural charm.
Revelation behind the old cigarette label
The yellowed old cigarette labels, in addition to the historical and cultural connection, are shining with the light of the times today. Their revelations are threefold:
The first is cultural self-confidence. The most direct message of the old cigarette label is that in the context of the strong entry of foreign products, our ancestors did not choose to blindly imitate, but carried out independent design on the premise of being proud of the national cultural genes, and finally gave birth to a unique Chinese style of cigarette label.
This kind of cultural self-confidence is the spiritual pillar of the current Chinese enterprises going out and the rise of Chinese manufacturing.
The second is corporate social responsibility. Behind the old cigarette label, we see not only the profitability of tobacco companies, but also their responsibility for the development of the nation.
It is this entrepreneurial spirit that makes the old cigarette label carry a heavy history and emotion. On the other hand, many enterprises have lost their sense of social responsibility in the process of blindly pursuing profit maximization, resulting in the gradual erasure of the cultural attributes of products.
The warning given to us by the old cigarette label is that the vitality of an enterprise must be built on the basis of being responsible for the national society.
The third is the unity of design and connotation. The reason why the old cigarette labels are still dazzling is that their simple external design and the internal bearing of history and culture can be harmonious, unified and complement each other.
This rational and abstract modeling language and simple and restrained emotional expression are exactly in line with the genes of Chinese aesthetic culture. On the other hand, many products are designed to focus on external brightness and spectacle, while ignoring the importance of rich connotations.
The so-called true beauty must be cultivated both outside and inside, which is also the third layer of inspiration given to us by the beauty of the design of the old cigarette label.