S.T.Dupont DRAGON Limited Edition

2012 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese horoscope, which is a sign that only occurs every 12 years and promises all those born under it magical powers and happiness. The S.T.Dupont DRAGON Limited Edition gives this glorious creature new life with a threefold collection of unique writing instruments and lighters. A fire- breathing fabled beast, the Dragon has been for generations a central element of classic works by authors of fantasy literature. Like no other mythological creature, it has always represented a strong symbol of power, goodwill and wisdom, especially in the Far East. Dragons are portrayed in Chinese art as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs, with potent and auspicious powers, particularly with control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and seas, in contrast to Western Dragons which are considered evil. The Dragon is also the figure of imperial power. It has been historically the symbol of the Emperor of China, since the Zhou Dynasty. According to legend, the earliest Chinese Emperors, Yandi and Huangdi, were closely related to 'Long' (Chinese Dragon). At the end of his reign, the first legendary Emperor, Huangdi, was said to have been immortalized into a Dragon that resembled his emblem, and ascended to Heaven. The other legendary Emperor, Huangdi's brother, Yandi, was born by his mother's telepathy with a mythical Dragon. Since the Chinese consider Huangdi and Yandi as their ancestors, they sometimes refer to themselves as "the descendants of the Dragon". To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, S.T.Dupont has created this exclusive Limited Edition of exceptional hand-made pieces. The Premium collection is composed of a Néo-Classique large pen and the iconic Line 2 lighter engraved with a pale gold Dragon on black Chinese lacquer. Pens and lighters are numbered out of 888 pieces each.For the Prestige Collection, limited to 88 pieces each item, S.T.Dupont partnered with the French artist Philippe Tournaire, who hand sculpted a gold plated Dragon on a Néo-Classique President fountain pen, made in black Chinese lacquer. The iconic Line 2 lighter, matching the solid bronze ashtray, is also decorated with the emblematic creature. Red rubies have been placed on the Dragon’s eyes. Only 8 pieces worldwide exist of the DRAGON Diamond collection. The Dragon sculpture on pens and lighters are entirely hand sculpted and yellow gold plated. Red rubies are placed on the Dragon’s eyes. The Dragon’s body is set with 88 diamonds. Philippe Tournaire has also hand sculpted the pen base and the ashtray, which comes as a set together with the lighter.