Scott No: 3466
Serial number: 2006-1
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: January 5, 2006
Denomination: 80 fen
Designer: Lv Shengzhong
Size of stamps: 36*36 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I; 6 for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on January 5, 2006. It consists of a single stamp with a face value of 0.80 yuan, designed by Lv Shengzhong, with Shi Yuan serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The year 2006 is the Year of the Dog in the lunar calendar. This stamp is the third issue in the third cycle of China Post's twelve zodiac series. Drawing on traditional Chinese folk art forms such as New Year prints and paper-cutting, it presents an auspicious dog image, conveying wishes for protection, peace, and prosperity during the Lunar New Year, and enhancing the festive and joyful folk atmosphere.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Bingxu Year

The stamp features a colorful and vibrant auspicious dog, seated upright and facing forward, dressed in a red jacket with a Chinese knot decoration on its chest. Its tail is ornate and flowing, with floral motifs surrounding it. The characters "Bingxu Year" are vertically inscribed on the left, with the China Post logo on the right. The overall design exudes the festive spirit of folk New Year prints, symbolizing protection, good fortune, and prosperity.

Artistic and Design Features

The square format is consistent with the third zodiac series, using a rich and colorful folk decorative style with strong contrasts. The photogravure printing provides fine and rich textures, with a new four-color fluorescent security paper. The stamp is available in multiple formats, including large sheet, miniature sheet, and stamp booklet, with border decorations featuring auspicious inscriptions. The overall style is festive and rustic, continuing the unified folk aesthetic of the third zodiac series.

This stamp is part of the third cycle of the twelve zodiac special stamps, available in multiple collectible formats. Collectors often collect the complete set of 12 stamps from the Year of the Monkey to the Year of the Snake, forming a complete third zodiac collection, making this a classic item in zodiac-themed stamp collections.