Chinese New Year Presents Challenge To Stamp Designers

The Hartford Courant reports on their website that stamp designers are finding clever ways to create designs picturing attractive-looking rats for the Chinese New Year.

Reporter David A. Kent writes, "Some people argue that 'rat' is too strict an interpretation of the Asian tradition of naming years for animals, and that this can also be considered the Year of the Mouse."

A miniature sheet from Taiwan, shown here, illustrates this approach by picturing two mice wearing wedding gowns under a bright red curtain.

New Zealand, which has a considerable Asian population, continues the theme. Its stamps focus on "pocket pets," pets so small that they can be carried in a pocket.

Slovenia, in central Europe, has a pair of "Mice in Love" on its Valentine Day stamp this year, combining traditional celebrations from two cultures.

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