Australia Post celebrates the Year of the Rabbit
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Australia Post will release a stamp issue featuring the Jade Rabbit to celebrate this year's Lunar New Year - Year of the Rabbit. The Chinese legend of the Jade Rabbit explains how the markings on the moon came to be.
Chinese legend tells of three sages who transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for something to eat from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey both had food to give, but the rabbit having nothing offered himself as dinner. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's kind sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace. He is now known as the Jade Rabbit and can be seen every night preparing the elixir of immortality in a mortar and pestle for the moon goddess.
This story is told in both English and Chinese on the mini sheet of the stamp issue, which is used to display the two stamps − 60c and $1.80. The stamp designs use stylised versions of the Chinese character for the rabbit and feature a silver foil overlay. Paper cut motifs, a popular form of Chinese art, are used to pictorially represent the rabbit in the 60c stamp.
Australia Post's Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt, said, "This year's Lunar New Year stamp products have been designed in keeping with Chinese traditional design and customs. The products, including the postcard, are released in plenty of time to send out wishes of good fortune and health to family and friends, both here and overseas."
The stamp issue was designed by Melbourne graphic designer, Dani Poon who was born in China and grew up in Hong Kong among Chinese traditions. This is Dani's fourth consecutive Lunar New Year stamp issue.
"Chinese culture and folklore are close to my heart. Many stories were told to me as a child and the rabbit on the moon was among my favourites. Working on the Lunar New Year project for Australia Post has given me the opportunity to recreate some of the treasured memories of my childhood using modern designs. Yet my love and respect for Chinese culture ensures the finished product is true to traditional sensitivities", said Dani Poon.
As Dani's work is always popular with collectors, she will be available to sign the stamp products at Melbourne's Hawkers Bazaar, located at Crown Riverside, Southbank in Melbourne from 3 to 6 February, 2011.
Signing times are:
- Friday, 4 February − 8 to10pm
- Saturday, 5 February − 1 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm
- Sunday, 6 February − 1 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm
The Lunar New Year series is created for the Australian Territory of Christmas Island which has a predominately Chinese-based population - more than 66 per cent of Christmas Island permanent residents are of Chinese descent.
The Christmas Island Lunar New Year - Year of the Rabbit stamp issue comprises a stamp and coin cover, mini sheet, first day cover, stamp pack, postcard, domestic and international postage paid envelopes, prestige booklet and a zodiac sheetlet.
The Lunar New Year product range is available from 11 January, 2011 at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at the Lunar New Year Stamp Issue website while stocks last.