Dragon will soon chase off rabbit to usher in the coming 2024 Lunar New Year. Creatively speaking, this will be an awesome year. We should expect to see classic and memorable designs, especially from China, Vietnam and Korea and more than a few unorthodox interpretations of the Year of the Dragon theme. It will be a curious and fascinating look at an ancient mythological symbol.
Dragons can be found throughout the world, taking on different roles depending upon the culture writing about them. In the zodiac, dragons represent power and energy, and signifies a year of prosperity. They are deeply embedded in folk lore and mythology around the world, with many countries having age old tales of human/dragon interactions. You can read more about the dragon motif and how it has appeared on stamps, here A few curated sta … ooh look dragons! | Bitter Grounds Magazine.
Exit the Rabbit
Over 60 countries issued Lunar New Year stamps in 2023, including the first NFT stamp by the USA. Designs ranged from Argentina’s untraditional but heartwarming teacher reading to her little bunnies to Azerbaijan’s suspicious rabbits in cloaks. I have to confess, I absolutely adore the cloaked rabbits. They remind me of little spy rabbits who have seen things … very, very dark things.
Although there were a lot of captivating designs, China’s pair were the ones I grew to appreciate and love the most. Created by legendary Chinese artist Huang Yongyu 黄 永玉, the stamps tell a story about both Huang and the Rabbit.
The first stamp, titled “Wise Rabbit”, is ready with a pen and card in hand (.. paw?) to send you greetings. The blue colouring symbolises good wishes for the New Year. The second stamp is titled “Symbiosis in the Same Circle”. The rabbits are running in a circle, displaying the cycle of agility, vitality and warmth. It’s difficult to see the pattern on the 2nd stamps background, but it’s there. The pattern is described as 玉兔捣药”纹饰 or in a bad translation Jade Rabbit pounding medicine. This represents a wish for good health and happiness despite the pandemic.
China’s Year of the Rabbit stamps revealed | Bitter Grounds Magazine
Huang Yongyu was still designing stamps and creating art up until his death in June of 2023 at the age of 98. In an interview 24 years ago, Huang said “Painting is something you do all your life. I guess, I’ll be painting until I die”. Last year, he stated he hoped to be around to design the Lunar New Year stamp when he turned 100. Unfortunately, for lovers of his work, this will not happen.
His rabbit was not received favourably by everyone. There were complaints about the “demonic” gaze of the red eyed rabbit and an overall lack of warmth and cuddliness. Despite these complaints, Huang’s stamps sold out rapidly when they went on sale. There were reports of long lineups of people eager to purchase them, a fitting tribute to Huang’s talents.
Vietnam rejoins the Lunar cycle in 2024. Vietnam’s calendar departs slightly from the zodiac animals, using a cat instead a rabbit. For the fourth year in a row artist/designer Nguyễn Quang Vinh designed the Tết (New Year) set, using bright colours and strong family oriented images to usher in the new year. I’ve already begun daily checks on Vietnam’s website in hopes of spotting an early release of their Lunar New Year design.
You can read more about this set and why Vietnam uses a different animal here Tết Quý Mão – Vietnamese New Year 2023 – Year of the Cat (bittergrounds.com).
The 2024 Lunar New Year begins
The new year begins with the rise of a new moon on Feb. 9, 2024. In anticipation of the celebration, post offices often reveal their stamps long before Feb. with many going on sale in December and January, so people can purchase stamps for the occasion. Stamps will be released throughout the year, with the majority coming between December and the first week in February. But there are always stragglers, and ones I’ve missed, so it’s always a good idea to pop back periodically to see if there are changes.
Have a prosperous New Year.
Cheers
Catpaw
A
Åland
Lunar New Year – Year of the Dragon
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, prepaid postcard (red dragon)
offsest
Designer: Martin Mörck
Mörck returns once again for the next stamp in the New Year cycle. He began the series in 2014 with the Sheep.
Release date: October 20, 2023
Armenia
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 8
lithography
Designer: David Dovlatyan Դավիթ Դովլաթյանի
Release date: October 31, 2023
Azerbaijan
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Designer Orkhan Garayev
Release date: March 7, 2024
B
Belarus
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 6
offset, thermal printing with gold foil
Artist: Viktar Chaichuk
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: January 30, 2024
Bhutan
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, sheet of 12 (showing entire lunar cycle)
Designer: Bhutan Post
Release date: February 8, 2024
Bosnia Hercegovina
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 8 + label
offset
Designer: Tanja Kuruzovic
Release date: February 9, 2024
Bulgaria
1 stamp on souvenir sheet
Sheets are numbered with a total of 3,600 sheets released
Designer: Angelina Konsova
Release date: February 23, 2024
C
China
1 stamp
Designer/artist: 潘鲁生 Pan Lusheng
Release date: November 11, 2023
China will release a number of stamps for the Lunar New Year in January.
Wang Huming returns for another Chinese New Year with this set of dragons:
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Wang Huming
Release date: January 5, 2024
Christmas Island
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 pre-paid covers, sheet of 15 (3×5), stamp pack, pre-paid postcard, sheet pack, 3 gutter sheets (only one shown),
numismatic and medallion covers, gold dragon souvenir sheet, gold souvenir sheet folder
offset, gold foiling
Artist: Chrissy Lau
Chrissy’s Lunar New Year designs have appeared on Guernsey’s stamps as well as Christmas Island
Designer: Sharon Rodziewicz
Release date: January 29, 2024
F
France
2 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets of 4, 1 souvenir sheet of 2 with cover
photogravure
On January 26, 2024 artist Chen Jiang Hong signing
from 10:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 14:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
Location: 13 bis rue des Mathurins, 75009 PARIS
Artist: Chen JIANG HONG
Designer: Bruno Ghiringhelli
Release date: January 29, 2024
G
Gibraltar
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 presentation packs, sheets of 10
offset
Designer: Stephen Perera
Release date: February 20, 2024
Guernsey
6 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet, 2 presentation packs, 6 sheets of 10, uncut press sheet, souvenir gold replica (100 copies)
offset
Designer: Chrissy Lau
British born and Australian based artist Chrissy Lau is well known for her annual Lunar New Year stamps. Lau, a graduate of law school, took a chance on turning her love of art to a full-time career in 2013, winning her first postage commission in 2014 for Guernsey’s Year of the Horse set. Next year, she will have completed a full Lunar cycle with the Year of the Snake stamps.
She has also designed Lunar stamps for Christmas Island starting with the 2021 Year of the Ox.
Growing up, everyone was so encouraging about my drawings and always told me how creative I was but I never considered it as a career. There was an insane amount of reading to do at uni, so I drew more and more to keep myself sane. After uni I decided to see if I could sell my drawings. I still didn’t have the courage to pursue illustration full-time, so I continued with commissions at night whilst juggling various day jobs.
Deeper Meanings Behind the Art: Chrissy Lau on Zodiac Stamps and More (postcrossing.com)
Release date: January 24, 2024
H
Hong Kong
4 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDCs, cancel, red packs,
Designer: Wong Chun Hong | 黃鎮康
Release date: January 5, 2024
Zodiac Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet – Rabbit Flying Dragon
2 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDCs, cancel
with silver leaf and gold flakes
Designer: Wong Chun Hong | 黃鎮康
Release date: January 5, 2024
Zodiac Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet – Complete Collector’s Edition
24 stamps on 2 sheetlets, FDCs, cancel
Designer: Wong Chun Hong | 黃鎮康
Release date: January 5, 2024
Hungary
2 stamps, 1 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
This is the 11th Lunar New Year stamp issued by Hungary
Designer: Katalin Bódi
Release date: February 1, 2024
I
Isle of Man
4 stamps, 4 sheets of 25, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
offset, metallic gold
Artwork: Jo Davies
“Illustrating a set of stamps has been on my bucket list, especially one celebrating such a revered symbol. It’s an honour to represent the Year of the Dragon through art.” Jo Davies Isle of Man Post Office celebrates Chinese New Year – IoM Post
Designer: EJC Design
Release date: January 22, 2024
J
Japan
4 stamps, 2 cancels
5 colour gravure
Japan continues with the Children’s Toy motif using works by Kawasaki Kyosen 川崎巨泉 (1877~1942)’s Collected Illustrations of Japanese Toys (1919).
Designer: 吉川 亜有美 Ayumi Yoshikawa
Yoshikawa began designing for Japan Post in 2017 and is now one of eight employed in Japan.
Ever since I was a child, I have loved drawing and detailed work such as handicrafts. When I was an art college student, I specialized in three-dimensional modeling …Everyone has a different way of designing stamps. I draw digitally, use watercolors and photographs.
Philatelic designer Ayumi Yoshikawa’s choice that led to a three-centimeter canvas : The Yomiuri Shimbun
Release date: November 1, 2023
Jersey
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, postcard, 2 presentation packs, sheets of 10
offset with gold metallic ink
“… the dragon is the only zodiac animal which is a mythical creature, and is usually used as a symbol of power in China. Dragons are also seen as a symbol of good fortune, and those born within the year are considered naturally lucky and gifted.
…. the designs are based on a Chinese style of painting and paper cutting.
… the image on the £1.65 stamp sheet for the Lunar New Year- Year of the Dragon features a gold dragon, with a sharp red background. Golden dragons have been associated with powerful deities and harvest in Chinese culture. Additionally, red is seen as a colour of prosperity and joy….
The miniature sheet depicts a detailed Chinese dragon flying through the clouds. Wang Fu a Chinese historian and philosopher during the Eastern Han Dynesty suggested that the Chinese dragon’s unique appearance is due to it being a combination of many different animal features. These features include heads which are in similar shape to a camel, the ears of a bull, the antlers of a stag, the body of a snake, the armoured body belly of a clam, feet similar to a tigers, talons of an eagle and a body that includes the protective scales of a carp. …
Roxanne Le Voguer, Philatelic Research and Marketing Executive, Jersey Post press release December 8, 2023
Designer: Wang Huming 王虎鸣
Release date: January 4, 2024
K
South Korea
2 stamps, souvenir sheet of 3, sheets of 16, info sheet
offset with Gold Foil / Holographic Foil
Designer: Eunkyung Park 박은경
Release date: January 12, 2024
Kyrgyzstan (KEP)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheet of 5
offset
Covers are limited to 400 issues and maxis are limited to 500.
Designer: Daria Maier
Moldovian born artist Maier has been Lead Designer /Graphic Artist with Kyrgyz Express Post (KEP) since 2017
Release date: April 30, 2024
L
Liechtenstein
1 stamp, souvenir sheet of 4, maxi card, FDC, cancel
gold foil stamping
Designer: Leng Bingchuan
Release date: November 2023
M
Macau
4 stamps, mini-panes of 4 blocks, souvenir sheet, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 souvenir sheets, 4 postcards, booklets, souvenir packs, Souvenir Pack (jointly issued by Hong Kong and Macao), Souvenir Sheet with Souvenir Pack (Jointly issued by China, Hong Kong and Macao)
Includes a FDC joint issue with Australia and China
offset, with microprinting
The dragon is a totem in ancient times, and its prototype is a snake. In the great migration and integration of the Chinese nation In the long historical process, it has been continuously added, exaggerated and enriched by people of all ethnic groups, and it has finally become a totem that is compatible with many A strange form of worshiped dragon. Wang Fu, a scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty, once described the image of a dragon like this: “The head is like a camel, the horns are like a deer, and the eyes are like a deer. It is like a rabbit, its ears are like an ox, its neck is like a snake, its belly is like a mirage, its scales are like a carp, its claws are like an eagle, its palms are like a tiger…” (“Qianfu Lun”)
Macau Post press release Jan. 5, 2024
Designer: Lin Zien 林子恩
Lam Chi Yan|Macao Foundation (fmac.org.mo)
Zien designed Canada’s last Year of the Dragon stamps in 2010
Release date: January 5, 2024
Malaysia
5 stamps on souvenir sheet, envelope, greeting card
gold stamping
Designer: Malaysia Post
Release date: Feb. 2024
Malta
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
offset
In Malta, we are privileged to enjoy the scenic and tranquil beauty of the “Chinese Garden of Serenity” situated in Santa Lucija. This garden offers a peaceful space for introspection and meditation. It reflects the local environment via the inclusion of the natural elements of rocks and water, symbolising Yin and Yang – life from birth to death. Walking through the Garden of Serenity, one discovers that it consists of several smaller gardens, separated by walls, sheltered corridors and secluded rooms where visitors have the opportunity to attempt some soul-searching while roaming freely in their thoughts. It is a truly serene landscape that provides calmness and inner tranquillity. Maltapost Philately – The Chinese Garden – Santa Lucija, Malta – The Year of the Dragon (maltaphilately.com)
Designer: Fabio Agius
Release date: February 29, 2024
Moldovia
: 
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, 2 cancels
The two cancels have different cancel dates. The second one accompanies the FDC.
Designer: Vladimir Melnic
Melnic’s first stamp was the 2003 From The Red Book of the Republic of Moldova: Birds. He has designed stamps for both Moldova and Kyrgyzstan.
Release date: February 2, 2024
Mongolia
2 stamps with label, FDC, cancel
Designer: G. Battur
Release date: January 8, 2024
N
Netherlands
1 stamp on souvenir sheets
offset
Designer: PostNL staff
Release date: January 1, 2024
New Zealand
4 stamps, 24-carat gold foil souvenir sheet, 4 FDCs, presentation pack, 4 sheets of 20, also available stickers, pinback, medallions, barcode and logo blocks, framed stamps
offset
This set has also been released as a Crypto set. Year of the Dragon Crypto – New Zealand 2024 – Bitter Grounds Magazine
Designer: YMC Design
YMC (ymcdesign.co.nz) YMC has designed the past 3 Lunar New Year stamps, starting with the Ox in 2021.
Release date: December 6, 2023
P
Philippines
2 stamps, stamp on souvenir sheet, sheet of 8, FDC
offset
Release date: January 3, 2024
Poynesia
1 stamp, sheets of 10 (FDC and cancel coming)
mixed
Designer/artist: Evard Chaussoy
Raiatea born artist Évrard Chaussoy supplied the impressive sculpture for the Wooden Dragon release. He combines traditional New Year elements with a distinct Polynesian style.
Evrard Chaussoy, Artist – Tahiti, French Polynesia
Release date: February 9, 2024
R
Romania
1 stamp, maxi card, FDC, cancel, sheetlet of 4, sheets of 20
offset
Designer: George Ursachi
Release date: February 8, 2024
S
Serbia
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 10
offset
Designer: Nadežda Skočajić
Release date: February 9, 2024
Singapore
2 stamps, mini pane, FDC, cancel, Collector’s Sheet comprises of $10 stamp and comes with a folder, presentation pack, 2 postcards, booklets of 10
offset with gold hot stamping
Artists: Lim An-ling (Stamps), Andy Koh (Collector’s Sheet)
Lim also designed Singapore’s yearly Lunar New Year stamps, starting with the 2020 Year of the Rat. Her designs include Singapore’s Myths and Legends Stamps (2016, 2014), Definitives (2013-2017)
An-ling is interested in the ways stories are told through artwork. She believes in experimenting, and the wonders of pen and brush.
Due to her experience working in production companies as an animator, her illustrative work often carries a sense of movement. Through the years, she has illustrated for postage stamps, books, campaigns, film posters, and artwork for home and hotel.
Info | My Site (musingcats.com)
Release date: January 5, 2024
Sint Maarten
10 stamps, sheets of 10
offset
Release date: February 10, 2024
T
Taiwan
Auspicious Dragon Presents the New Year
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 sheets of 20
lithography
Designer: Zeng Kaizhi 曾凱智
Release date: December 12, 2023
Thailand
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 10
offset
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn returns for another in the Lunar New Year cycle. This is the 9th stamp in the current calendar:
Artist: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Designer: Mr. Tanate Polchaiyawong
Release date: January 3, 2023
U
United Nations
2 stamps on sheets of 10, postcard, special post card issued for the SARASOTA NAT’L STAMP EXHIBITION January 19-21, 2024
offset
Designer: Pan Hu (Tiger Pan) 潘 虎
Pan Hu returns for his 3rd New Year Design.
联合国+潘虎｜今年是龘Dá龘Dá设计师 (tigerpan.com)
Release date: January 19, 2024
United States
1 stamp, sheets of 20, red envelopes, pinback, matte display, FDC, 2 cancels
offset, foil stamping, microprinting
This set is also available as a crypto stamp Year of the Dragon CRYPTO – USA 2024 – Bitter Grounds Magazine
Artist Camille Chew continues her annual Lunar New Year design with another in her paper mask designs.
… Chew constructed the dragon mask out of hand-printed paper, then cut, scored, and folded it into shape. She embellished the mask with acrylic paint and other paper elements, like flowers and tassels, and covered the back of the mask in a layer of papier-mâché. The completed mask was photographed on a white background.
USPS press release Jan. 25, 2024
Designer: Camille Chew
Release date: January 25, 2024
V
Vietnam
2 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 4 FDCs, cancel
offset
The souvenir stamp shows “
“the image of the dragon family flying up with the khanh clouds symbolizing peace and luck. The image of 9 dragons gathered on the pole symbolizes the winding Mekong River emptying into 9 sea gates, bringing richness to the agricultural economy of the Southwest.” VNPost news release
Read more about this set of stamps as well as the Vietnamese origin. story here Vietnam’s 2024 Tết stamps celebrating the dragon (bittergrounds.com)
Designer: Nguyễn Quang Vinh
Release date: December 24, 2023
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