2016-12-26 Mon

A competition for the best Year of the Monkey stamps was organised by the Chinese Shengxiao (Zodiac) Philatelic Society which was sponsored by many Philatelic organisations. The competition was won by stamps from Liechtenstein, Hong Kong, and Tonga. Late 2015 or early 2016 Stamps issued by 55 different countries or special administrative regions celebrating the Year of the Monkey participated in the contest. The monkey is the ninth animal in the cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Year of Monkey began on 8th February 2016 and will end on 27th January 2017. Voting in the Year of the Monkey competition was only open to the Chinese Shengxiao Philatelic Society which has over 6,700 members. A jury of 24 experts was also appointed. China’s Year of the Monkey stamps were not eligible. A set of two 1.20-yuan stamps that were issued on 5th January 2016 received an honorary award. One depicts a monkey holding on to a vine with one hand and a peach in its other as a symbol of good luck. The second stamp features an adult monkey with infants, symbolising happiness, longevity, and family. The 92-year-old designer Huang Yongyu first created an illustration featuring two baby monkeys kissing the mother to portray China’s new family planning policy that was released on 1st January 2016. The policy now allows couples to have two children rather than one. Huang also designed the 1980 Year of the Monkey stamp called the “Red Monkey”. This 8 fen stamp has a 200,000 times higher market value today. On 16th November 2015, Liechtenstein issued a Year of the Monkey 1.90-franc stamp using delicate paper cut and laser technology. The red colour used by Stefan Erne is considered to be the symbol of luck in China. The stamps were sold in monkey-shaped panels of four. The stamp received 1,820 votes, a number which is equal to 60 percent of the total vote to take the first spot. Officials described the stamp as showing a small, adorable, festive monkey with typical Chinese characteristics.