Xuanxuan is someone who gets to the bottom of things. Not out of impatience, but out of curiosity: he wants to know how the world works at its core. This way of thinking led him to computer science – a world where precision is essential for everything.

Yet even scientists believe in moments that cannot be planned.

Do you know that almost addictive sound? That dry crack as a fortune cookie breaks? In that split second, the world pauses for a moment. Then there’s that little strip of paper – a message that feels as though it’s been waiting just for you. Magic.

Xuanxuan couldn’t get that very moment out of his head. He wondered: what if that feeling didn’t fade after just two bites? What if the message unfolded slowly – with warmth, with time, and with intention?

He began to experiment. What seems so effortless and natural today is the result of a meticulous exploration of materials and processes. He wanted to capture the magic of the fortune cookie in the tranquillity of a candle.

But something was still missing – not in the product itself, but in the brand’s soul. Through a mutual friend, he met the brand designer Jana. She was actually supposed to ‘just’ design a label, but when she held the first candle in her hands, she immediately sensed its potential.

It soon became clear that something bigger was taking shape here. Jana became part of the vision, and what started as a commission turned into a shared journey. Today, they continue this journey together with Sonja, Xuebing, Sana and Yiman. A diverse team in the heart of Hamburg, ready for whatever the future holds.

Welcome to santalina.
We’re delighted to have you here!