Stamps set marks The Year of the Ox

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.

Decorations associated with Chinese New Year, including oranges, lanterns and Chinese red packets, also 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.’

Of the stamps, the cloud pattern on Amongst the Clouds represents good luck and fortune, as well as being a symbol of peace.

The Fortune Beckons stamp features an ox holding a lucky Chinese red packet, which are given to children during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Fierce Fire ox wears his cloak of fortune, which he protects with his bucking stance, while 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.

The Golden Dreams ox is seen nurturing her young calf.

The fruits’ orange hue symbolises gold, which are displayed and gifted to create wealth and good fortune, while on Treasure Celebrations, an ox wears a Chinese New Year charm necklace, gold ingots and coins, in celebration of the festival.

n The Year of the Ox starts on Friday 12 February.