Rooster stamps released in Hechi

Hechi Post began selling sets of rooster-themed stamps to celebrate the Year of the Rooster, in Jinchengjiang district, Hechi of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Jan 5.

The set, released by China Post, includes two stamps with a face value of 2.4 yuan ($0.34). One stamp features a rooster at full sprint, while the other is adorned with a hen and two chicks.

In Chinese astrology, the rooster is said to be the epitome of fidelity and punctuality, and used for centuries as nature's alarm clock.

Han Meilin, a renowned painter as well as the designer of the stamp set, said the Chinese have a special affinity for roosters because their silhouette resembles the shape China on a map.

"The stamps symbolize family harmony," said Han.

The rooster is the 10th Chinese zodiac in a 12-year cycle, with the previous Year of Rooster in 2005. The coming Year of the Rooster starts on Jan 28, 2017, Chinese Lunar New Year's Day.

A worker from Hechi Post shows the new set of stamps. [Photo by Tan Hongping/hcwang.cn]

One stamp features a rooster at full tilt. [Photo by Tan Hongping/hcwang.cn]

A pair of amateur philatelists appreciates the new set of stamps. [Photo by Tan Hongping/hcwang.cn]