Tiger – Chinese zodiac sign on a postage stamp
February 1st of this year marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, which falls under the zodiac sign of the Tiger. Traditionally, Poczta Polska is introducing a postage stamp from the "Chinese Zodiac Signs" series to mark the occasion.
The stamp features a graphic depicting the head of a tiger – the third of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. The inscription "POLAND" appears along the bottom edge of the stamp, while the face value of 4 złoty and the inscription "Year of the Tiger" appear on the left side. Along the top edge is the name of the issue, "Chinese Zodiac Signs."
In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a First Day of Circulation (FDC) envelope featuring lanterns—an essential attribute of Chinese New Year celebrations—and the issue's name, "Chinese Zodiac Signs." In previous years, Poczta Polska issued stamps in this series featuring a buffalo and a rat.
" In fulfilling its educational mission, Poczta Polska has repeatedly introduced its customers to the traditions and cultures of other nations. By learning about foreign customs, we not only expand our knowledge but, above all, open ourselves to the world and others. With the "Chinese Zodiac Signs" series, we are showcasing the beauty of centuries-old Chinese tradition for the third time. I hope our stamp will encourage a closer understanding of the traditions and customs of a country where one-fifth of the world's population lives – a country whose oriental culture has fascinated other nations for centuries ," says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
The Chinese horoscope encompasses 12 zodiac signs. Unlike Western tradition, these change annually, not monthly, as they are based on the lunar calendar. They are symbolized by 12 different animals. Therefore, the year under a given animal sign repeats every 12 years. The year sign of 2022 will be the Tiger, and the next Year of the Tiger will not occur for another 12 years, in 2034.
| People born in the year of a given animal adopt it as their zodiac sign. Therefore, 2022 will be the year of those born under the sign of the tiger. In Chinese culture, this animal symbolizes strength, courage, and self-confidence. |
About the stamp:
author of the project: Andrzej Gosik
number of stamps: 1
value: 4 PLN
circulation: 144,000 pcs.
printing technique: offset
stamp format: 45 x 45 mm, including a 40 mm diameter circle
paper: fluorescent
sales sheet: 8 stamps per sheet
Date of introduction into circulation: February 1, 2022