Stamp lovers rejoice. Your collection is about to expand as the latest annual zodiac stamps will be made available at local post offices this Saturday, January 5, reports Shine.
2019 is known as the Year of the Pig. Without a doubt, the souvenir stamps of this year will feature the cute and chubby figure. Each set is priced at an affordable RMB2.4 (USD0.35) and contains two pieces of stamps. The artwork is designed by artist Han Meilin, who is renowned for penning the 2008 Beijing Olympics mascots.
The first stamp is coined 'Plump Pig Brings Good Fortune' and features a swine striding towards what is presumably a better life. The second one depicts a family of five pigs. Referred to as 'The Gathering of the Five Fortunes (wǔ fú 五福 in Mandarin Chinese),' the pigs represent respectively longevity, affluence, health, benevolence and peace in traditional Chinese culture.
Image via Sohu
Interestingly, ever since these designs were revealed in August of last year, there were speculations that China might relax its 'two-child policy' in 2019, judging from the three piglets portrayed here. The theory may sound like a wild guess, but it's not completely groundless. Back in 2015, when the one-child policy was abolished, the stamps revealed for the coming year showed a monkey holding two babies.
Image via Baijiahao
According to China Post, the production of souvenir stamps this year will continue to decrease as a result of the dwindling sales. The circulation of the pig stamps will decline by 10 percent compared with the previous year (69 million), becoming the lowest in the past nine years.
[Cover image via Sohu]
