Jersey’s Lunar New Year series began in 2016 with the Year of the Monkey, followed by the rooster, dog, pig and rat. Once again, Chinese stamp artist, Wang Huming has designed the next instalment, Year of the Ox, which will be issued to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year in 2021. The design is based on a Chinese style of painting and paper cutting.
In Chinese culture, the Ox is seen as a symbol of prosperity, being hard working, kind and reliable. The golden bull on the 54p stamp, with its head raised upwards, represents a longing for a prosperous future, while its hoof, tightly buckled downwards, indicates a down to earth attitude. The pattern on the body of the bull is traditional Chinese imagery of a butterfly…