Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon

Overview

Lunar New Year is an important traditional festival celebrated by people throughout the world. Celebrations vary regionally in China, and other countries with Chinese populations, but they centre on family. A family reunion dinner is held, with specially prepared food. Incense is burned for ancestors; friends visit each other with gifts, and cards are exchanged. To promote good fortune, gifts of money wrapped in lucky red paper envelopes are given. Traditional lion and dragon dances are performed, and fireworks are a feature. The celebrations conclude with the annual Lantern Festival.

The Dragon is the 5th sign in the zodiac cycle. The Dragon symbolises power, honour, good luck and success in traditional Chinese culture, and those born under this sign are said to be noble, ambitious and gifted. Chinese legend states that in the beginning, dragons lived alongside human beings as the first creatures, providing protection and guidance. China's first imperial dynasty was said to have dragon blood coursing through their veins, leading to the notion that Chinese people are "descendants of the dragon”.

Previous Dragon years include 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964 and 1952.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 29 January 2024
Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2024
Denomination: $1.20 x 1, $2.40 x 1, $3.60 x 1
Typography & product design: Sharon Rodziewicz, Australia Post Design Studio
Stamp illustration: Chrissy Lau
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet (mm): 170 x 80
Zodiac sheetlet (mm): 170 x 210
Calendar sheetlet (mm): 170 x 170 (gold foiling)
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design) Gutter design $1.20
FDI Postmark: Christmas Island WA 6798
FDI withdrawal date: 27 February 2024

Stamps in this issue

$1.20 Fortune Dragon

The Fortune Dragon is brave, bold and powerful, energised for the coming year. The gold ingot and Chinese coin featured in the stamp design symbolise wealth and prosperity. The peony rose, also a motif in this stamp design, is especially symbolic in Chinese culture as a symbol of nobility and peace, when in full bloom.

$2.40 Lucky Dragon

The Lucky Dragon is decorated with Chinese plum blossoms, which symbolise prosperity and good luck. Chinese plum blossoms can flourish despite the cold, bleak weather, meaning this flower is also associated with perseverance. The red envelope and the lantern symbolise good fortune, the lantern also communicating the concept of letting go of the past and welcoming the positive future.

$3.60 Happy Dragon

The cloud motif in the stamp design is an auspicious omen of peace. Clouds are often associated with the Dragon because this animal is associated with life-giving rain. Since ancient times, the Dragon has been seen as a water god, who sours into the clouds and pours his blessings (rain) onto the dry earth below.

Gallery

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Shop our stamp collectables

Set of Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon Gummed Stamps

This set of stamps contains the three stamps from the Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon stamp issue.

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Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon Minisheet

This minisheet is from the Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon stamp issue.

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Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon Zodiac Sheetlet

This Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon zodiac sheetlet presents all of the 2024 Year of the Dragon zodiac stamps.

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Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon Calendar Sheetlet Pack

This Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon Calendar Sheetlet Pack presents Chinese zodiac details and the stamp designs in a circular sheet format.

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