United States:Lunar New Year - Year of the Ox

As the Lunar New Year approached, the U.S. Postal Service issued a new Forever&reg; stamp honouring the Year of the Ox.

The Lunar New Year is an important holiday for many Asian communities around the world.

Known as Tet in Vietnam and the Spring Festival in China and elsewhere, the Lunar New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and historically marks the arrival of spring. In communities across the United States, people shop for food and other supplies, hang decorations and ceremoniously clean their homes to welcome the new year with a fresh start.

There are many traditions for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity. In communities across the United States, people shop for holiday food and other supplies, hang decorations and ceremoniously clean their homes to welcome the year with a fresh start.

Issue Description
The Year of the Ox is second in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps introduced in 2020. The first Lunar New Year stamp series ran from 1992 to 2005 and the second series from 2008 to 2019.

Issue Details
The mask on the stamp design incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind, as well as purple flowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The star in the center of the ox’s head references the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac.

The stamp is being issued in panes of 20 as a Forever&reg; stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

First Day Covers
The First Day Cover features the postage stamp from the issue affixed and cancelled with a pictorial Postmark outlining the Ox Head featured on the postage stamp as well as the date and location of issue.

The second First Day Cover with Digital Colour Postmark features the postage stamp from the issue affixed and cancelled with a pictorial Digital Colour Postmark featuring the beautiful blue Ox Mask featured on the postage stamp as well as the date and location of issue.

The third First Day Cover is a Ruby-Red Money Envelope features the postage stamp from the issue affixed and cancelled with an official First Day of Issue Postmark featuring the outline of the mask shown on the Postage Stamp as well as the date and location of issue.

This colourful envelope can be used during the Chinese New Year to present cash to family and loved ones - a tradition that symbolises good luck for the new year ahead.