It’s become as much a Chinese New Year tradition as the holiday itself. Every lunar new year, both the U.S. Postal Service and the China Post issue Chinese New Year stamps, to the joy of collectors and well-wishers around the world.
China Post began issuing Chinese New Year zodiac stamps in 1980 with each year dedicated to an animal in the Chinese zodiac, beginning with the Year of Monkey and ending with the Year of Ram. Famous Chinese artist Huang Yongyu painted a monkey for the first stamp, which was proved so popular as gift that many forgeries exist.
Photos: Stamps in US, China commemorate lunar new year
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2019 Year of Pig (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2019 Year of Pig (USPS)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2018 Year of Dog (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2018 Year of Dog (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2019 Year of Pig (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2018 Year of Dog (USPS)
2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the U.S. Postal Service
2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the U.S. Postal Service
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2017 Year of Rooster (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2017 Year of Rooster (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2017 Year of Rooster (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2005 Year of Rooster (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 1993 Year of Rooster (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 1981 Year of Rooster (China Post)
YEAR OF THE MONKEY (2016, Issued by USPS)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2016 Year of Monkey (China Post)
Chinese New Year Special Stamp: 2016 Year of Monkey (China Post)
The 3rd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post
The 3rd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post
The third Round of Chinese New Year Zodiac Stamps was issued from 1992, the year of Monkey, to 2003, the year of Ram.
The 2nd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post (Part 1)
The 2nd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post (Part 1)
The second Round of Chinese New Year Zodiac Stamps was issued from 1992, the year of Monkey, to 2003, the year of Ram.
The 2nd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post (Part 1)
The 2nd Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post (Part 1)
The second Round of Chinese New Year Zodiac Stamps was issued from 1992, the year of Monkey, to 2003, the year of Ram.
The 1st Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post
The 1st Round of Chinese New Year Stamps Collection by China Post
The first Round of Chinese New Year Zodiac Stamps was issued from 1980, the year of Monkey, to 1991, the year of Ram.
YEAR OF THE HORSE (2014, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE HORSE (2014, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RAM (2015, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RAM (2015, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE HORSE (2014, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE HORSE (2014, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE SNAKE (2013, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE SNAKE (2013, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE DRAGON (2012, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE DRAGON (2012, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RABBIT (2011, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RABBIT (2011, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE TIGER (2010, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE TIGER (2010, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE OX (2009, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE OX (2009, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RAT (2008, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE RAT (2008, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE OX (2009, Issued by USPS)
YEAR OF THE OX (2009, Issued by USPS)
China Post released a new set of rooster-themed stamps to celebrate the Year of the Rooster based on the Chinese zodiac on January 5th.
2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the China Post.2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the China Post.
The set includes two stamps and has a face value of 2.4 yuan ($0.34). One stamp features a running rooster, while the other displays a hen with two chickens.
2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the China Post.Han Meilin, designer of the stamp set, said many artists enjoy painting roosters because of their colorful feathers, adding that the animal is the most popular topic of folk paintings in China, according to a report by China News Service.
Han said Chinese have a special affinity for roosters because their silhouette resembles the shape of China on a map. “The stamps symbolize family harmony,” he added.
Han, 80, who is well known for his paintings and sculptures, said he is passionate about the world, children and animals, despite the fact that he is getting older.
It is the third time that he has accepted the invitation to design Lunar New Year stamps.
The rooster is the 10th Chinese zodiac in a 12-year cycle, with the previous Year of the Rooster being in 2005.
The coming Year of the Rooster starts on Jan 28, 2017, which is Chinese Lunar New Year Day, and ends on Feb 15, 2018.
The rooster is said to be the epitome of fidelity and punctuality, as it was used to awaken people for centuries before alarm clocks were invented.
The U.S. Postal Service’s first Chinese New Year stamp series in 1992 included all twelve traditional animal signs. The current and second series — which began in 2008 — emphasizes holiday traditions.
2017 Lunar New Year: Year of the Rooster stamp from the U.S. Postal Service.
Story compiled with the pictures and information from China Post, USPS, U.S. National Postal Museum, China Daily.
