MaltaPost is issuing a miniature sheet titled, The Chinese Garden, Santa Lucija, Malta – The Year of the Dragon 2024.

The miniature sheet carries a denomination of €3.00 and portrays the Chinese Garden of Serenity situated in the town of Santa Lucija, Malta, while the stamp depicts a dragon – the Chinese zodiac sign for the new year. Both miniature sheet and stamp were illustrated by local artist Fabio Agius.

The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that links each year to an animal sign. The 12 animal signs are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The order of the animal signs is fixed, with the dragon being the fifth in the cycle, hence the Year of the Dragon in 2024, which began on the 10th of February.

Those born in this year are believed to embody qualities associated with dragons – leadership, charisma, intelligence and enthusiasm.

In Malta, the public are privileged to enjoy the scenic and tranquil beauty of the “Chinese Garden of Serenity” situated in Santa Lucija. This garden offers a peaceful space for introspection and meditation.

The stamp measures 39.5mm x 48mm, has a comb perforation of 13.3 x 13.2 and bears the Maltese Cross watermark. The miniature sheet measures 86mm x 150mm and was produced in the offset process by Printex Limited. The issue consists of 13,000 sheets with each stamp bearing a value of €3.00.

The miniature sheet will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo from Thursday, the 29th of February.

Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c., 305 Qormi Road, Marsa MTP 1001; by telephone 2596 1740 or via e-mail info@maltaphilately.com

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