Scott No: -
Serial number: 2018-1
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: January 5, 2018
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Zhou Lingzhao
Engraver: Yuan Yishan, Liu Minghui
Size of stamps: 36 * 36 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
6 for Sheet II
Size of sheet:
168 * 196 mm for Sheet I;
128 * 180 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset and Engraving
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

2018 corresponds to the Wuxu Year in the Chinese lunar calendar, also known as the Year of the Dog in the Chinese zodiac. The dog ranks the eleventh among the twelve Chinese zodiac animals and is associated with "Xu" in the twelve Earthly Branches. The period from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day is also called "Xu Shi" (the Dog Hour). Dogs are loyal and alert by nature, and their bark is homophonic with the Chinese character "Wang" (prosperity), making them a symbol of family and career prosperity. Folk culture also refers to dogs as "auspicious dogs", "prosperous dogs" and "joyful dogs".

"The Wuxu Year" is a special stamp (catalog number 2018-1) issued by China Post on January 5, 2018, to welcome the arrival of the Wuxu Year. The set consists of 2 stamps, inheriting the design concept of "family joy" from the fourth round of Chinese zodiac stamps and featuring the image of Chinese rural dogs.

The first stamp, titled "Dog Guards Peace", depicts a male dog standing tall with head held high, its eyes shining as it stares ahead, as if ready to dash off at any moment to resist external threats and guard the home.

The second stamp, titled "Harmonious Family Brings Career Prosperity", shows a brown female dog gazing affectionately at her puppies: a black little dog stands upright with head raised, lively and cute. The mother and her cubs cuddle together, embodying the deep maternal love.

Connected together, the two stamps imply the peace and harmony of families as well as the prosperity and strength of the nation.