7 Postage Stamps From Major Illustrators To Celebrate the Chinese New Year 2021

The year of the Ox begins and several countries welcome it with postage stamps from amazing illustrators

The Lunar New Year, also called the Spring Festival in China, is the most important of the traditional festivals celebrated by Asian cultures around the world. In addition, it represents another beginning in the oldest calendar in the world.

On February 12th, the year of the Buffalo or Ox begins and, to welcome it, many postal services around the world call on artists and personalities to be inspired by the figure of this animal. These are limited pieces that, over time, acquire special value among collectors. We show you seven of the most important and who is behind them.

Yao Zhonghua for China Post

Strive to be strong and The auspicious year of the Ox, are the titles of the works that illustrate the postage stamps with which China Post welcomes 2021. The images are specially made by the legend of the Chinese illustration Yao Zhonghua, an 82-year-old who is honorary president of the Yunnan Oil Painting Society and librarian of the Yunnan Provincial Museum of Culture and History. In these images the artist sought to condense his wishes for prosperity, harmony and reunion.

Daniel Pereyra for the Uruguayan Postal Service

The Uruguayan Postal Service has issued a stamp on the occasion of the Chinese New Year every year since 2015, which is usually presented with a special event celebrating the culture of that country. Through this stamp designed by the architect Daniel Pereyra, in the year of Buffalo, the country expresses its intention to strengthen its philatelic link with the largest population in the world, which also has 10 million philatelists.

Chrissy Lau for Australia Post and Guernsey Post

Award-winning Sydney-based British-born Chinese illustrator Chrissy Lau was inspired by the traditional lucky colors, gold and red, to invoke good fortune. This work was chosen by Australia Post to become the official image of the celebration during this year.

In addition, Lau also made the stamps for Guernsey Post, the Channel Islands Post where she again referenced Chinese symbols. In this series, the illustrator has integrated various very significant elements for the date in Chinese culture, such as the peony flowers that symbolize wealth and honor, the lotus flowers that symbolize perfection due to their ability to flourish in murky waters. In the past, she also campaigned for the Year of the Dragon for the city of Sydney.

Wang Huming for the United Nations Postal Administration and Jersey Post

Illustrator, designer, calligrapher and engineer Wang Huming was invited by the United Nations to create a Chinese New Year commemorative postage stamp. Huming, who is a professor at Tsinghua University and has won important awards in Asia, sought to reflect the qualities attributed to the ox in Chinese culture: constant effort, perseverance, determination and honesty.

Huming also designed the commemorative stamp of the celebration for the Channel Islands Jersey Post which was printed with metallic gold foil and varnish.

Camille Chew for the United States Postal Service

The United States Postal Service invited a young illustrator whose art explores themes related to mythology, fantasy and the occult. Chew collaborated with the art director Antonio Alcalá of the leading design studio Studioa. The work refers to the masks used in the dragon or lion dances that are used in the celebration's parades.

Her Royal Majesty Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for Thailand Post

Thai princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is known for her work in education and social development and also for collecting postage stamps. Her hobby is so dedicated that it has earned her the title of Princess Stamp Collector. On the occasion of its 125th anniversary, Thailand Post Company Limited was honored to use one of Her Royal Highness paintings in a special stamp collection. Now he collaborates with her again on this postcard that commemorates her year of the Buffalo.

Lim An-ling for Singapore Post

For the second year in a row, the Singapore National Post chose the work of illustrator Lim An-Ling, known for her visual exploration of the country's myths and legends. More than once, Ella Ling has taken her creations to special editions highly valued by collectors.

Other countries such as Canada, Taiwan and Liechtenstein have greeted China through the issuance of stamps or postage stamps or stamps on the occasion of the Chinese New Year that begins today. These stamps are just one more proof that much of the world is celebrating a new cycle with art and creativity.

Happy 4719 new year!

English version by @inuin.

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