Title of stamp: Year of the Pig
Issue date: January 5, 2007

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world and, for the past decade, Canada Post has been joining the festivities by issuing a stamp featuring the year’s sacred animal. Legend tells us that the Jade Emperor organized a race across a river for all of the animals and the lunar years were named after the 12 winners. The year 2007 is the Year of the Pig and the domestic rate (52¢) “Lunar New Year: Year of the Pig” stamp and special commemorative souvenir sheet ($1.55) have a bright and fun design that conveys the legend, showing the pig in festive colours as it makes its way across the river. The Year of the Pig began on February 18, 2007, and ends on February 6, 2008.

If you were born in 1971, 1983 or 1995, you’re lucky enough to be a pig person. According to Chinese tradition, the pig is the most generous and honourable sign. A pig year generally brings 12 months of contentment, security and optimism. People born in the Year of the Pig are considered to be cheerful, easygoing, kind and caring, and yet also very determined. Both social and self-reliant, pig people are dependable and make great friends. Famous pig people include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Sasha Baron Cohen (also known as Ali G or Borat Sagdiyev) and Stephen Harper.