The metal Ox ‘stamps’ its mark worldwide this Chinese New Year

Taiwan's Chunghwa Post is marking the Year of the Ox with a set of two stamps and a souvenir sheet aptly themed 'turning the situation around.' The images on the stamps are inspired by the art of paper cutting. Photos: Handout

To coincide with the Year of the Ox celebrations, a list of countries have launched special edition stamps featuring richly artful designs and meaningful elements, all steeped in their respective cultures and traditions.

There is still no news (at press time) of Pos Malaysia Berhad joining in the festivities with its own Ox collection. But there is no shortage of wonderful Chinese New Year stamps issued around the world to get philatelists and art lovers all excited.

Here are our top picks:

Slovenia

This black-and-red design by Maja Tomazic depicts a lone ox, looking strong and resolute. After all, the ox is considered the strongest of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac.

Also, the lone ox embodies solidity and independence. The stamp also features a Chinese hieroglyph that means "ox" and what appears to be a hibiscus on the ox’s forehead. Hibiscus normally symbolises wealth, glory and fame in China.

New Zealand

This vintage design pays homage to the classic Chinese Nianhua posters. Typically printed to celebrate the arrival of a New Year, this woodblock printing style was made popular during the Ming dynasty.

The colourful and floral motifs symbolise festive hopes and joy. These special edition stamps couples happy babies with an ox, either flying a kite or marching forward.

They symbolise happiness, a march towards new beginnings, peace, hard work and prosperity. The box-borders that frames the images on the stamps references the Chinese lunar calendar, alluding to the original purpose of the Chinese Zodiac - a way for the Jade Emperor to track time.

France

Designed by France-based Chinese artist Chen Jianghong, the special edition stamps by the French Post comes in two designs.

The first depicts a big bull with its sharp horns and its head pointing up. This symbolises vitality and energy. The second design shows a young boy, in a meditative stance, holding a plum blossom and riding on the back of a bull wearing a big red flower. This could mean entering into a New Year with peace and resolve.

The United Nations

This is the 12th sheet issued for the UN Postal Administration stamp series, which completes the entire zodiac cycle. The series started in 2010 to commemorate the Year of the Monkey. This Year of the Ox stamp is designed by Chinese artist and stamp designer Wang Huming.

The blue UN emblem with the "2021" year date is marked in the upper right corner. The ox is depicted in hues of red, yellow and orange.

Australia

This is not the first time Sydney-based illustrator Chrissy Lau’s work has been featured in a national series.

Her work was once featured on coins by the Royal Australian Mint.

Lau’s three special edition CNY stamps are imbued with Chinese culture. Gold and red, lucky colours for the Chinese, are the dominant hues in this series. Ornaments and flowers that symbolise wealth and good fortune are also included in the stamps.

Liechtenstein

The stamp is designed in the form of a filigree silhouette, with a gold foil stamping that gives it a classy touch. Filigree is a form of intricate ornamental metalwork used in jewellery.

South Korea

The special edition stamps by KoreaPost are issued in two versions. The first version shows a winking calf bearing good fortune with a lucky bag on its back, showing a gentile smile.

The second version, holographic in nature, depicts a mother cow and a calf facing each other and smiling, expressing maternal love and abundance.