Scott No: -
Serial number: 2023-1
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: January 5, 2023
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Huang Yongyu
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

In accordance with the 2023 Special and Commemorative Stamp Issuance Plan, China Post Group Co., Ltd. issued a set of 2 special stamps and 1 stamp booklet themed "Gui Mao Year" (the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac) on January 5, 2023. The two stamps are titled "Sending Blessings in Gui Mao Year" and "Coexisting in Unity for a Shared Future", each with a face value of 1.2 yuan. The planned circulation of the two stamps is 39.5 million and 38 million respectively, and that of the stamp booklet is 4.8 million.

The "Gui Mao Year" special stamps are the 8th set in the 4th series of China's zodiac stamps. The first stamp, "Sending Blessings in Gui Mao Year", depicts an intelligent Rabbit (the zodiac animal of Gui Mao Year) in childlike blue, holding a brush in its right paw and a letter in its left. It combines the zodiac theme with the culture of letter-writing, reflecting the Chinese people's tradition of caring for each other, expressing nostalgia and sending blessings through letters during the Spring Festival. It also embodies the beautiful aspiration of working together to draw a grand "blueprint" in the new year. The second stamp, "Coexisting in Unity for a Shared Future", shows three rabbits running endlessly with their heads and tails connected. Its design is inspired by the pattern of "Three Rabbits Sharing Ears" from the Dunhuang murals, conveying the auspicious meanings of endless vitality and happy reunion. It symbolizes the Chinese nation's spirit of self-improvement and vitality, the Chinese people's unity in struggle and concerted efforts, as well as the country's strength and the people's vigor. The background is adorned with the decorative pattern of "Jade Rabbit Pounding Herbs" (a classic Chinese mythological image), expressing the beautiful wish of overcoming the epidemic and returning to normal life, and conveying the sincere prayer for national prosperity, people's peace and good health.

This set of stamps was designed by Huang Yongyu, a renowned Chinese artist and known as the "Father of the Monkey Stamp". It is reported that Huang Yongyu's first zodiac stamp design was the "Geng Shen Year" Monkey Stamp in 1980, which earned him the title of "Father of the Monkey Stamp" and was also the first zodiac stamp issued after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Thirty-six years later, he designed the Monkey Stamp for the "Bing Shen Year" in the 4th series of zodiac stamps, marking his second zodiac stamp creation. The "Gui Mao Year" special stamps are Huang Yongyu's third zodiac stamp design at the age of 100, and his brushwork remains natural, humorous and vivid.

The Rabbit image on the "Gui Mao Year" zodiac stamps has a distinct personality and dynamic vitality. The stamps are printed using the combined offset and intaglio printing method, which enriches the details of the image with exquisite craftsmanship, achieving both anti-counterfeiting performance and artistic value in the printing process.