Guernsey:Year of the Ox 2021

Guernsey Post released a set of stamps on 26 January to celebrate the Year of the Ox, the eighth set in its Chinese New Year series, which begins on 12 February. Previous issues include Year of the Rat (2020), Year of the Pig (2019), Year of the Dog (2018), Year of the Rooster (2017), Year of the Monkey (2016), Year of the Goat (2015) & Year of the Horse (2014).

For the latest issue, artist Chrissy Lau, who has worked on the whole series, has taken inspiration from the patterns found on Feng Shui ornaments – in, China it is common practice to display Feng Shui animal ornaments depicting coins and gold to attract good fortune.

Issue Description
Decorations associated with Chinese New Year, including oranges, lanterns and Chinese red packets, feature on the stamp designs, while the Chinese symbol for ox appears on the top left of each stamp. The use of red is symbolic of good fortune and joy.

"Once again, Chrissy Lau has created a wonderfully striking yet intricate set of stamps for our Lunar New Year series," said Guernsey Post head of philatelic Bridget Yabsley.

Complementing the stamps is a Souvenir Sheet, which depicts an ox with a peony pattern symbolising richness and honour in Chinese culture, along with a presentation pack – Family Field – that features a hard-working family of oxen relaxing amongst the lotus roots and flowers in a rice paddy field. The lotus represents longevity and perfection, as it is able to flower from muddy waters.

Stamps
Amongst the Clouds (50p)

On Amongst the Clouds, the cloud pattern represents good luck and fortune, as well as being a symbol of peace. Fortune Beckons (68p)

The Fortune Beckons stamp features an ox holding a lucky Chinese red packet in its mouth, which are given to children during Chinese New Year celebrations. Fierce Fire (70p)

The Fierce Fire ox wears his cloak of fortune, which he protects with his bucking stance. The cloak features Chinese gold coins to reflect wealth and fortune. Fortune Charm (85p)

On the Fortune Charm stamp, the ox carries a popular Chinese New Year decoration of Chinese coins around its body, which are displayed to attract wealth and good fortune. Golden Dreams (95p)

The Golden Dreams ox is seen nurturing her young calf. Their bodies are adorned with kumquats, tangerines and oranges, which are auspicious symbols during Chinese New Year celebrations. Treasure Celebrations (£1.02)

On Treasure Celebrations, an ox wears a Chinese New Year charm necklace, gold ingots and coins, in celebration of the festival. He holds a lantern on his tail with the Chinese word 'fu', meaning fortune.

Souvenir Sheet
The Year of the Ox 2021 Souvenir Sheet consists of each of the six stamps from the issue, set against an illustrated background.

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