An Post announce new stamp to mark Chinese New Year

An Post are ringing in the Chinese Year of the Rat with a new stamp, it was announced today.

The launch of the 78 cent stamp coincides with the celebrations this week for the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

The rat is the symbol in the Chinese Zodiac for 2008 and every 12 years before and after this year.

Despite its Western connotations it’s seen as a lucky year with those born under the sign thought to be charming, wealthy and attractive to the opposite sex.

They are also considered to be brave and very entrepreneurial as rats know exactly where to find solutions and can thrive and survive in any environment.

People born in in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1986 as well as 2008 were born in the Year of the Rat.

The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar - as important as Christmas in Ireland.

The Renze Zhou-designed stamp is done in a typical Chinese style, illustrating a rat standing on its hindquarters, sniffing at a lit candle.

It is available from the Philatelic Shop in the GPO, Dublin and at selected post offices nationwide.