This photo shows postage prepaid Lunar New Year greeting cards (air mail), as parts of Hongkong Post's special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Year of the Dragon". (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – The Hongkong Post will issue a series of special stamps and associated philatelic products on Jan 5 to ring in the Year of the Dragon.
The special stamp series consists of four stamps and two stamp sheetlets featuring a vivid depiction of the dragon with different graphic elements and festive colors, giving an atmosphere of rejoicing in celebration of the Year of the Dragon.
Among the 12 zodiac animals, the dragon is a mythical creature that symbolizes prestige and power, and is known as an emblem of auspiciousness and good luck.
This photo shows the mint stamps, the stamp sheetlets and the special postmark as parts of Hongkong Post's special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Year of the Dragon". (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
In a statement on Thursday, the Hongkong Post said it will issue the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet of Lunar New Year Animals - Rabbit/Dragon", "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - A Complete Collectible Set" and "Year of the Dragon" Joint Souvenir Packs, adding a festive ambience to the new year.
This set of four stamps and two stamp sheetlets showcases the depiction of the dragon with different graphic elements and festive colors, giving an atmosphere of rejoicing in celebration of the Year of the Dragon, the Hongkong Post said.
ALSO READ: Hongkong Post to issue HKSAR 25th anniversary stamps
The HK$50 ($6.4) stamp sheetlet is a laser-cut paper art stamp sheetlet issued by Hongkong Post for the first time. The motif on the stamp is laser-cut to create a delicate silhouette of a dragon. The elaborate design of the paper-cut, coupled with the exquisite making technique, renders the stamp sheetlet a perfect collectible in the Year of the Dragon.
This photo shows a souvenir pack (prestige version) jointly presented by China Post, Hongkong Post and Macao Post and Telecommunications, as parts of Hongkong Post's special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Year of the Dragon". (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
Beginning with "Dragon/Snake" in 2013 and ending with "Rabbit/Dragon" in 2024, with a total of 12 sets to complete a full cycle, Hongkong Post started issuing the second Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals series in 2013.
The "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - A Complete Collectible Set" draws the series to a perfect close. A set of two stamp sheetlets features the Lunar New Year animals against gold and silver backgrounds respectively, which glisten brightly and emanate luxury while expressing the wish for a prosperous, auspicious and peaceful year.
For the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet of Lunar New Year Animals - Rabbit/Dragon", the rabbit and the dragon on the stamps are lavishly finished in silver foil and gold plating respectively, lending an ambience of joyous festivity of the New Year.
This photo shows the covers of the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - A Complete Collectible Set", as parts of Hongkong Post's special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Year of the Dragon". (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
Meanwhile, China Post, Hongkong Post and Macao Post and Telecommunications will jointly issue the "Year of the Dragon" Joint Souvenir Packs on the same day.
The packs contain the first-ever souvenir sheet issued by the three postal administrations, which unites the diversified expressions of the dragon culture in Chinese traditions on the mainland and the two special administrative regions and demonstrates that they share the same roots and cultural lineage.
READ MORE: Hongkong Post to issue stamps for Beijing Winter Olympics
These special stamps and philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost starting Jan 5, 2024.
