Christmas Island: Year of the Rabbit 2023

Overview

Lunar New Year is the most important of the traditional festivals celebrated by Asian cultures throughout the world. Also called the Spring Festival in China, it is a time to complete unfinished business, and to settle debts before the beginning of another year. Relatives and friends gather to celebrate with feasts, and to exchange gifts of money wrapped in bright red paper.

The Year of the Rabbit begins on 22 January 2023. The Rabbit is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle and is seen as being creative, compassionate and sensitive. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are kind, gentle, virtuous and popular. They are artistic and have good taste, with a liking for the finer things in life. They do not like to argue, preferring peace and quiet. They are compassionate listeners, excellent negotiators and work well with others. Birth years for Rabbits include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011. The Rabbit’s lucky flowers include jonquils and snapdragons, its lucky numbers are 3, 4, and 6, and lucky colours include red, pink, purple and blue.

This year’s stamp designs, by Chrissy Lau, were inspired by cartoon characters popular in Asian cultures and by three ancient Chinese gods, Shou Xing, Lu Xing and Fu Xing (representing longevity, prosperity and happiness respectively). The zodiac sheetlet stamps continue the cartoon-like feel.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 17 January 2023
Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2023
Denomination: $1.20 x 1, $2.40 x 1, $3.60 x 1
Stamp illustration: Chrissy Lau
Product design: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phos.
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet size (mm): 170 x 80
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (gutter design $1.20) (Clear laser foil overprint)
FDI Postmark: Christmas Island WA 6798
FDI withdrawal date: 15 February 2023
Zodiac sheetlet size (mm): 170 x 210
Calendar sheetlet size (mm): 170 diameter

Stamps in this issue

$1.20 Fortune Rabbit

The Fortune Rabbit character inspired by Fu Xing (Fu), god of fortune and happiness. This rabbit is depicted as a scholar holding a scroll, accompanied by a young rabbit, a pupil.

$2.40 Prosperity Rabbit

The Prosperity Rabbit character is inspired by Lu Xing (Lu), god of prosperity. Lu represents someone of rank and influence. The rabbit holds a Ru Yi sceptre of power and good fortune, and a gold ingot, which represents wealth.

$3.30 Longevity Rabbit

The Longevity Rabbit character is inspired by the god of longevity, Shou Xing (Shou). Normally seen with a walking stick, a carrot is used instead, along with an apricot which symbolises a wish for success.

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