USPS Just Released Colorful 'Year of the Tiger' Stamps for Lunar New Year
Snail mail just got more colorful! This morning, the U.S. Postal Service issued a new Forever stamp that honors the Lunar New Year and the beginnin of the Year of the Tiger. The stamp—which features a bright orange illustrated tiger—is the third in a series of Lunar New Year stamps that will cycle through the Chinese zodiac symbols.
In 2020, the USPS released a stamp celebrating the Year of the Rat, and 2021's stamp design commemorated the Year of the Ox. The USPS plans to release a new stamp each year through 2031 until they've featured all 12 symbols. The Year of the Tiger begins Feb. 1, 2022, and ends Jan. 21, 2023.
Courtesy of USPS
During a dedication ceremony in New York City this morning, Michelle Yun, vice president of Global Artistic Programs and director of the Asia Society Museum, and Anne del Castillo, commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, joined Ronald Stroman from the USPS board of governors to announce the new design and explain the meaning behind it.
"Lunar New Year is a time when Asians and Asian Americans honor their cultural heritage and traditions, and this stamp series celebrates their prominence and influence on U.S. history and culture," del Castillo said.
The Forever stamps are 58 cents each (or $11.60 for a sheet of 20) and can be purchased at USPS locations or online, starting today.
Buy It: Year of the Tiger Stamps ($12, USPS)
Art director Antonio Alcalá and artist Camille Chew worked together to create a design that's both fun and symbolic. Orange is said to be a lucky color for anyone born during the Year of the Tiger. They also added a decorative mask, like those worn during Lunar New Year dances and parades. The green designs around the tiger represent the arrival of spring, and the purple foil motifs symbolize the celestial themes that are associated with Chinese zodiac signs.
Related: How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign—And What It Says About Your Personality
Courtesy of USPS
This year, celebrate Lunar New Year at home by ordering stamps and sending snail mail to your friends and loved ones. Gifting red envelopes full of cash is a traditional Lunar New Year activity, so consider grabbing a pack of red envelopes ($5, Michaels) and mail kind words or a small gift card as a celebration of the new season.
