Jersey Post releases stamps to mark Year of the Rat

Jersey Post is marking the beginning of the Year of the Rat with a new stamp.

The stamp, which was illustrated by Chinese artist Wang Huming, is the fifth to be issued by the service to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival. In 2020, the first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 25 January.

The stamp depicts the rat biting at the birth of the world. According to Chinese legend, the rat bit into the sky which allowed sunlight to come through. Yin separated from Yang and the earth was born.

In Chinese culture, rats are seen as a sign of fertility and wealth. People born in the year of the Zishu rat are considered to be multi-talented and strong willed.

The stamp also comes with a miniature sheet which features part of a Chinese folk story called 'Mouse of Marriage'.

The Year of the Rat stamps will be available to buy from all Jersey Post branches from Friday 3 January.