Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau issued the label stamps “Lunar Year of the Snake”, “Lunar Year of the Horse”, “Lunar Year of the Goat”, “Lunar Year of the Monkey”, “Lunar Year of the Rooster”, “Lunar Year of the Dog”, “Lunar Year of the Pig”, “ Lunar Year of the Rat”, “Lunar Year of the Ox” and “Lunar Year of the Tiger” under the stamp series of Chinese Zodiac between 2013 and 2022. The eleventh issue with the stamp theme “Lunar Year of the Rabbit” will be issued on 1^st February, 2023. The printing quantity is 750,000 label stamps.

In the twelve Earthly Branches, the rabbit represents “Mao” (卯) and “Mao shi” (卯時) is the period between five and seven in the morning when the day breaks and the sun rises. At that time, energy emerges from the Earth and all plants come to life; the Sun is beaming so gloriously that everything becomes prosperous and vigorous. Therefore, people born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to have the following admirable characteristics: kind and generous, intelligent, agile and dashing, exuding a great sense of hope and responsibility like the rising Sun.

The rabbit is considered an auspicious animal. The old book Ruiying Tu records: “White rabbit is a symbol of luck while red rabbit is a symbol of great luck”. Du Fu’s poem “Moon” includes a verse “The toad swims in the river and does not drown. The rabbit pounds the bitter herbs and has an eternal life.” In this way, the rabbit also represents the genuine wish for longevity, reunion and companionship.

The above issue will be available for sale at the General Post Office (9:00a.m. to 5:30p.m.), the Communications Museum (9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m., 2:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.), and the “Rua do Campo” Post Office (9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.). The mail service for the philatelic products cancelled with the commemorative postmark of this issue will be available on the issue date at the above locations. The philatelic products are as follows:

On the issue date, the maximum sales quota per queuing customer is 20 sets of 4 label stamps, 20 first day covers with label stamps and 20 information brochures with label stamps.

Arrangement of automatic stamp vending machines

The following designated automatic stamp vending machines will have a temporary arrangement. The maximum time limit for using the vending machine is 5 minutes for each queuing customer.

- General Post Office, Lobby

- Communications Museum, Ground Floor

The stamp designer of this issue is Ms. Anita, Fung Pou Chu, and the text of the information brochure is written by Mr. Gong Gang.

This is the first theme in 2023. The theme “Lunar Year of the Rabbit” also included the commemorative stamp to be issued on 05/01/2023.

Technical Data of Stamp “Lunar Year of the Rabbit”

Details