U.S. issues Lunar New Year stamp

In observance of the Lunar New Year, the U.S. Postal Service will debut a new stamp series for the 12 different animals in the Chinese calendar. The series will continue through 2019.

The first stamp in the series (shown here) is for the Year of the Rat(which begins Feb. 7, 2008) was released yesterday.

According to legend, the animals raced across a river to determine their order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race.

A USPS press release states, "People born in the year of a particular animal are said to share characteristics with that animal. Those born during the Year of the Rat are said to be adaptable, clever, ambitious and industrious.

According to the release,"Famous Rats include Antonio Banderas, Claude Monet, David Duchovny, George Washington, Hugh Grant, Prince Charles, Samuel L. Jackson and Sean Penn."