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China Post Releases Chinese Zodiac Stamps
The Year of the Snake marks another annual event for China Post. Since 1980, it has issued Chinese Zodiac-themed stamps and has become works of art in their own right.
The stamp for the Year of the Snake was recently released in Beijing.
This year’s snake stamps ingeniously combine the reptile’s image with symbols of good fortune.
PAN HU Designer, Year of the Snake Stamp commented: “For example, the one on the left. The wheat in its mouth symbolizes abundance in food and clothing, while we designed the eyes to be cute and lively. The patterns on the body are inspired by Dunhuang murals, which represent good luck. As for the piece on the right, the first thing that comes to mind is the totem shape of ‘Fu’ or the blessings made by three snakes. This is something that’s instantly recognizable to the Chinese. Other details, like the dragonflies you see, are actually a natural food source for snakes.”
The other designer said the design pays tribute to traditional culture, while offering insights into Chinese interpretations of the snake as a cultural symbol.
While the wheat in the snake’s mouth comes from the dragon plate found at the Taosi Temple site in Shanxi, the designer has also incorporated elements of Chinese calligraphy to give the snake a sense of strength.
This year marks the second time that the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao SARs have issued zodiac stamps in a souvenir sheet.
The snake design appears on each stamp in various shapes and colors, offering a richer interpretation of the same traditional zodiac culture across different times and places.
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