Christmas Island: Year of the Ox 2021

Overview

Lunar New Year, also called the Spring Festival in China, is the most important of the traditional festivals celebrated by Asian cultures throughout the world. It is a time to complete unfinished business and settle debts to begin the New Year with a clean slate. Celebrations include congregating with relatives and friends for feasts and to exchange gifts of money wrapped in lucky red paper. Incense is burned to honour ancestors.

The Year of the Ox begins on 12 February 2021. The second animal sign in the 12-year cycle, the hardworking, honest Ox is highly esteemed because of the important role it plays in agriculture. Those born under the sign of the Ox are said to be sincere and modest, cautious and patient. They also have a tendency to be stubborn and slow.

The illustration for this issue is by Chrissy Lau, an award-winning, British-born Chinese illustrator who is based in Sydney. The stamp designs feature the traditional lucky colours of gold and red and were inspired by ornaments and flowers that are said to invite wealth and good fortune.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 8 January 2021
Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2021
Denomination: $1.10 x 1, $2.20 x 1, $3.30 x 1
Stamp design and product illustration: Chrissy Lau
Product design: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 35 x 35
Zodiac Calendar stamp size (mm): 26 x 25.5
Minisheet size (mm): 170 x 80
Zodiac sheetlet size (mm): 170 x 210
Zodiac Calendar sheet size (mm): 170 x 170
Perforations: 14.28 x 14.28
Sheet layout: Module of 50
FDI Postmark: Christmas Island WA 6798
FDI withdrawal date: 8 April 2021

Stamps in this issue

$1.10 Ox

In this design, the Ox is holding a Chinese coin in his mouth similar to Feng Shui frog ornaments used in Chinese culture to attract wealth. The Ox is relaxing in a rice paddy with water lilies in between his legs. Subtle coin patterns decorate the body of the Ox.

$2.20 Ox

In this design, the Ox has a cloud pattern on his body, to represent good fortune and auspiciousness. Inspired by Feng Shui ornaments, the Ox is carrying three gold ingots and a longevity knot decoration.

$3.30 Ox

In this design, the Ox is depicted with chrysanthemum flowers, which symbolise joy, happiness and longevity, as well as a necklace of golden coins for good luck.

Gallery

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Set of the Year of the Ox 2021 Gummed Stamps

This set of stamps contains all three stamps from the Christmas Island: Year of the Ox 2021 stamp issue.

Year of the Ox 2021 Stamp Pack

The Christmas Island: Year of the Ox 2021 stamp pack contains the minisheet from the stamp issue presented in high quality folder.

Year of the Ox 2021 Minisheet

The Christmas Island: Year of the Ox 2021 minisheet consists of the three stamps from the issue incorporated into a miniature stamp sheet.

Year of the Ox 2021 Zodiac Sheetlet

The Christmas Island: Year of the Ox 2021 gummed zodiac sheetlet contains the three stamps from the issue in the minisheet format along with 12 stamps.