As I was born in the year of the Rat (1960) I thought this piece in this morning's Buffalo News (written by Syd Kronish) was interesting. I will have to look for these stamps, too!
The arrival of a New Year means celebration, dazzling displays of fireworks lighting the skies, the colors of beautiful decorations and parties galore, a time of exuberant happiness as we exit the old year and ring in the new.
Joining the celebration is the U.S. Postal Service, which is reviving its successful series of Lunar New Year stamps in 2008 in commemoration of the Chinese calendar. The first of 12 stamps of the series, labeled “Year of the Rat,” will be released in January.
The rat is the first of 12 animals associated with the Chinese Lunar calendar. According to legend, the animals raced across a river to determine their 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.
People born in the year of a particular animal, according to the Chinese, are said to share characteristics with that animal. Individuals born during the Year of the Rat are said to be adaptable and clever as well as ambitious and industrious.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Mongolian heritage in many parts of the world. Images associated with some of these widespread customs will be featured in the new series of stamps as it has in previous series.
Joining the celebration is the U.S. Postal Service, which is reviving its successful series of Lunar New Year stamps in 2008 in commemoration of the Chinese calendar. The first of 12 stamps of the series, labeled “Year of the Rat,” will be released in January.
The rat is the first of 12 animals associated with the Chinese Lunar calendar. According to legend, the animals raced across a river to determine their 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.
People born in the year of a particular animal, according to the Chinese, are said to share characteristics with that animal. Individuals born during the Year of the Rat are said to be adaptable and clever as well as ambitious and industrious.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Mongolian heritage in many parts of the world. Images associated with some of these widespread customs will be featured in the new series of stamps as it has in previous series.
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1 comment:
Now I'm going to have to look up mine. I always forget what I am, snake, goat, hmmm...
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