Happy Lunar New Year!

Year of the Ox Stamp Available Today Nationwide

WASHINGTON,Feb. 3,2021 -- As the Lunar New Year approaches,the U.S. Postal Service today issued a new Forever stamp honoring the Year of the Ox. The stamps are on sale at Post Office locations nationwide and online at usps.com/oxstamp. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #LunarNewYear and #LunarNewYearOx.

"The Lunar New Year is an important holiday for many Asian communities around the world," said Luke Grossmann,the event's dedicating official and senior vice president,finance and strategy,U.S. Postal Service.

USPS,along with the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce,unveiled the stamp in a virtual dedication on the Postal Service's Facebook and Twitter pages.

"We are thrilled to have been chosen by the U.S. Postal Service to introduce the release of its 2021 Lunar New Year 'Year of the Ox' Commemorative Forever Stamp," said Patrick McShane,president,Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce,noting that Chicago is designated as the stamp's first-day-of-issue city.

Grossmann and McShane were joined by Judy Hsu,evening anchor at ABC 7 Chicago. The ceremony also featured a traditional lion dance performed by Chicago Chinatown Special Events.

The Year of the Ox is second in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps introduced in 2020. The first Lunar New Year stamp series ran from 1992 to 2005 and the second series from 2008 to 2019.

The mask design on the stamp incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles. Purple flowers represent the arrival of spring,which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The star in the center of the ox's head references the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original artwork by Camille Chew. This Forever stamp is being sold in panes of 20 and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The Year of the Ox begins Feb. 12,2021,and ends Jan. 31,2022. Personality traits and other attributes associated with the Chinese zodiac animals are thought to be common to people born in the years represented by those animals as well. For example,beliefs hold oxen — and those born in the Year of the Ox — to be honest,diligent and highly dependable.

There are many traditions for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity. In communities across the United States,people shop for holiday food and other supplies,hang decorations and ceremoniously clean their homes to welcome the year with a fresh start.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps,by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724),by mail through the USA Philateliccatalog,or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shopstamps under "Collectors."

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage,products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note:For U.S. Postal Service media resources,including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills,visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter,Instagram,Pinterestand LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel,like us on Facebookand enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service,visit usps.comand facts.usps.com.

National: Kim Hallums

(C) 202-803-1758

kimberly.d.hallums@usps.gov

Local: Tim Norman

(O) 312-983-8371

(C) 312-520-9616

timothy.j.norman@usps.gov

usps.com/news