Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Stamps

In 2023, the U.S. Postal Service issues the fourth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Rabbitbegins January 22,2023,and ends on February 9.2024.

Utilizing red, pink, and purple as the predominant colors-said to be lucky colors for individuals born during the Year of theRabbit-the rabbit mask in the stamp art incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were createcwith the style of Asian textiles in mind as well as green fiowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year alscsionals in chinese culture. The crescent shape in the center of the rabbits head references the unar calendar on which lunaNew Year is based and the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac.The rabbit is the fourth of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. Many ancient fables andegends explain the origin of the zodiac sians, The most common story tells of the animals racing across a river to determinetheir order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race. Nexcame the ox, then the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, and dog, folowed by the boar in last place.As with other zodiac signs, personality traits and other attributes are ofen associated with people born in the year of aparticular animal. Those born during the Year of the Rabbit may be seen as elegant, gracious, and kind. Pink, red, and purpleare lucky colors for Rabbits, and plantain lilies may also bring good luck.Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many Asian communities around the world and is primarilycelebrated by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Malaysian, and Filipino heritage. Across thesevaried cultures, many traditions exist for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity.Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and pane with original art by Camille Chew.The Year of the Rabbit stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp in panes of 20. This Forever stamp wil always be equal invalue to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.

Made in the USA.