Announced October 23, 2023:
The fifth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year stamp series celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in dances often performed in Lunar New Year parades, this three-dimensional mask depicting a dragon is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. The dragon mask design incorporates colors and patterns with symbolic meaning. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp and pane with original art by Camille Chew.
Further information will be posted below the line, with the newest information at the top.
Updated March 2nd:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5829.
Updated December 22nd:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Rings In Lunar New Year With Year of the Dragon Stamp
What: The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the Lunar New Year with the unveiling of the Year of the Dragon stamp.
The first-day-of-issue event for this Forever stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #LunarNewYearDragon and #LunarNewYearStamps.
Who: Eduardo H. Ruiz, Jr., vice president, Retail and Delivery Operations — Western-Pacific Area, U.S. Postal Service
When: Jan. 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. PST
Where:
International District/Chinatown Community Center
719 Eighth Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/lunarnewyeardragon.
Background: As the auspicious Year of the Dragon begins, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the Lunar New Year with a colorful new stamp. The Year of the Dragon begins Feb. 10, 2024, and ends Jan. 28, 2025.
Parades, customary foods, and red and gold lanterns mark the Lunar New Year festival for people all over the world. Celebrants set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and clean their houses to signify a moment of renewal before spring. They write couplets, give gifts and prepare traditional meals to celebrate the coming year.
People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be successful, wise and powerful. In fact, many consider the dragon to be so favorable, they plan for children to be born under the sign. Every 12 years, many Asian communities experience a baby boom because of the allure of the dragon, the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac.
Updated December 18th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.0″ x 1.43″
The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.69″ x 1.23″
