Lunar New Year : Year Of The Rat Forever Stamp 2020
Lunar New Year Paper Cuttings: A Tradition of Luck and Happiness
During Lunar New Year celebrations, many homes are adorned with vibrant, intricately designed paper cuttings. This ancient tradition, which spans thousands of years, is believed to bring good fortune and happiness to those who display them.
Traditional Decorations:
These paper cuttings are typically made from red paper and are displayed on doors and windows. When placed on windows, the cutouts allow light to shine through, creating a captivating and festive display.
Popular Designs:
One of the most popular designs during the Lunar New Year is the symbol "fu," which means "fortune" or "good luck." Interestingly, this symbol is often hung upside down due to a charming anecdote from years past.
The Upside-Down Fu:
The story goes that a family once accidentally hung their "fu" symbol upside down. When their first guest arrived, they exclaimed, "Your fu is upside down!" In Chinese, the phrase for "upside down" sounds similar to the word for "arrive." The family took this as a sign that their fortune had arrived, and the tradition of hanging the "fu" symbol upside down to welcome blessings was born.
USPS Lunar New Year Stamps:
In 2020, the USPS launched its third series of stamps celebrating the Lunar New Year. The first stamp in this series honors the rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac. Representing the beginning of a new day, the rat is a fitting choice to start both the 12-year zodiac cycle and the new stamp series.
