Lunar New Year Postage Stamps

中国农历新年邮票
Virtual Exhibit
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The 2008 Year of the Rat stamp features red lanterns, a common decoration at New Year celebrations.

U.S. postage stamps have celebrated aspects of Chinese heritage and culture. The Lunar New Year collections are some of the most successful issues in the history of the USPS. These postage stamps embody an aspect of Chinese culture and tradition that has left an indelible mark on the United States and also found a place in popular culture.

The Chinese lunar cycle is based on a twelve year repeating cycle. According to legend, the signs of the Zodiac were determined when Buddha invited all the animals of the kingdom for a meeting. Only twelve animals showed up: the rooster, dog, boar, rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, ram and monkey. Buddha gave each animal its own year; thus, it is believed that people will possess the nature and characteristics of the animal that represents the year in which they are born.

March 6, 2014 - January 4, 2015
Exhibition

This exhibition looked at the relationship of China and the U.S. through the study of stamps and mail.

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Exhibition

El Servicio Postal de EE. UU. celebra el ciclo de 12 años del calendario lunar chino con una serie de sellos postales.

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