Traditional Chinese art forms feature on Year of the Tiger stamps
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Australia Post will commemorate the start of the 2010 Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger by issuing a stunning set of stamps designed by Melbourne-based designer, Dani Poon.
The stamps feature an ancient form of Chinese art - paper cut motifs - to pictorially render the Tiger in the 55 cent stamp. It is complemented by a $1.65 stamp that shows how this pictorial representation developed into the Chinese character for the Tiger.
This is the third Lunar New Year stamp Dani has designed for Australia Post. She designed the first of a 12-year zodiac cycle with her Year of the Rat stamps in 2008. The Year of the Ox stamps followed in 2009. A classic gold foil treatment is incorporated into this year's stamp designs.
"Designing stamps is a dream because your designs stay forever and people collect them", said Dani. "It's great to be able to create beautiful designs for the Lunar New Year celebrations for Australia Post whose commitment to this most important of Chinese festivals means so much to Australia's Chinese community."
For the first time this issue will include a Lunar New Year 12-year cycle special edition stamp pack containing the 2008 Rat, 2009 Ox and 2010 Tiger base rate stamps. This product range also includes a stamp pack that doubles as a greeting card, and pre-paid international and domestic envelopes.
As the third character in the new lunar cycle, the Tiger is a symbol of courage and bravery, reputed to have the power to drive away demons. Those born in the year of the Tiger are considered fearless leaders although somewhat unpredictable and emotional. According to tradition, the Tiger earned third place in the zodiac by reaching the river bank after the Rat and the Ox.
Famous people born in the Year of the Tiger include Bert Newton, Betty Cuthbert, Marilyn Monroe, Queen Elizabeth II and Sir David Attenborough. The Year of the Tiger officially begins on 14 February 2010.
Dani Poon will appear at the Hawker's Bazaar, Crown Riverside, Southbank in Melbourne to sign stamp products on:
- Friday 12 February - 8pm to 10pm
- Saturday 13 February - 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm
- Sunday 14 February - 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm
The Christmas Island Lunar New Year - Year of the Tiger product range will be available from participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 or online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 12 January 2010, while stocks last.
