New set of stamps marks start of Chinese Year of the Dragon

TODAY is the first of a Year of the Dragon in the traditional Chinese calendar and reminders of it could be dropping through every letterbox thanks to the Royal Mail.

A new set of stamps depicts fire-breathing monsters and fireworks from previous festivals in the UK.

The Chinese calendar, shared to some extent by other Eastern cultures, is based on a combination of sun and moon observations. A New Year marks the start of a lunar cycle and is named after one of 12 beasts which are said to have fought for their places of influence, in stories going back more than 5,000 years.

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The year just ended was that of the Rabbit. A Dragon symbolises power, strength and good luck, and those born in a Dragon year are believed likely to be brave, innovative and highly driven. There is a dragon for each of the elements of Water, Air, Fire, Metal and Earth, and the stamps include an example of each.

The Lunar New Year Commemorative Sheet is available in 350 local Post Offices and online at www.royalmail.com/dragon/

The National Farmers’ Union has appealed to people celebrating the Chinese New Year not to use “Chinese lanterns”, which are propelled by the heat from a small light inside.

The lanterns can start fires and the fine wire often used in their construction can kill livestock if eaten. They are already outlawed in parts of Germany, the whole of Vietnam and, as of last week, Spain.