The year 2025 is the year of the snake, according to the Chinese Zodiac. This ancient zodiac, an essential part of Chinese culture, is based on the East Asian lunar calendar which consists of a cyclical 12-year pattern with each year associated with one of 12 animals.

To commemorate the Year of the Snake, which began on the 29th of January, MaltaPost has launched a set of two new stamps, carrying a denomination of €0.45 and €2.21, one designed by Chinese designer Fang Jun and the other by local artist Fabio Agius.

The sequence of animals in the Chinese zodiac is as follows: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is believed to possess distinct traits, which are said to influence the personalities of individuals born in that year.

The snake is a creature renowned for its sharp wit, calm demeanour, and intelligent nature. The ability to shed its skin, symbolises the process of letting go of the old and embracing the new.

This stamp set will be issued in a sheet of 10, with each stamp measuring 35mm x 35mm, a comb perforation of 13.77 x 13.66 and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark.

The sheets measure 98mm x 203mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the offset process. The issue consists of 500,000 of the €0.45 stamp and 22,000 of the €2.21 stamp.

The stamps will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo from today, Wednesday, the 12th 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

Photo: MaltaPost

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