As the first symbol of a new lunar cycle, the Year of the Rat conveys luck and wealth. It is celebrated by Chinese communities across the world in February. Australia Post has commissioned a new designer for its popular 12-year Lunar New Year stamp issue and is also applying a seal of authenticity device on the stamp and coin cover in the issue.

Designer Dani Poon has utilised one of the most popular and ancient Chinese art forms – paper cut motifs – to pictorially render the Rat in the 50 cent stamp. This is complimented by a $1.45 stamp that shows how this pictorial representation developed into the Chinese character for the Rat.

“It is an absolute honour to be able to work in the traditional Chinese style, and to be trusted by Australia Post to design these stamps”, proclaimed Dani Poon. “Lunar New Year is the most important of Chinese festivals and Australia Post’s commitment to celebrating this event every year means a lot to the large Chinese community in Australia.”

The Lunar New Year stamps are a unique departure for Dani, whose previous work includes designing perfume bottles. She has brought several classic elements to the stamp design including gold foil used to offset the dominant red colour of the stamp and coin cover, mini sheet and zodiac sheetlet.

For collectors, the most significant feature of Year of the Rat products will be the appearance of a seal of authenticity and official number on the stamp and coin cover. This is the first time the feature has been used on these products and Australia Post plans to continue using the identification technique on future issues of this product type.

The Rat is the first sign in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be imaginative, generous, quick-tempered and intelligent. According to tradition, the Rat only achieved its first position in the 12-year Chinese zodiac with great cunning – it rode the Ox’s back across the river and then out-sprinted the Ox once on land to claim first prize.

Famous people born in the Year of the Rat include Richard Nixon, William Shakespeare, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Hugh Grant, Bono, Mandy Moore, Avril Lavigne, Gwenyth Paltrow, Eminem, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Ben Affleck.

Lunar New Year will be officially celebrated on 7 February 2008.

The Year of the Rat stamps from Australia Post will be available from Tuesday, 8 January 2008 from selected Australia Post outlets and via mail order on 1800 331 794. Overseas customers can purchase online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps.

The stamp product range includes a 1 x 50c stamp and 1 x $1.45 stamp, zodiac sheetlet, first day cover, first day cover minisheet, stamp pack (which doubles as a greeting card), illustrated gutter strip, postcard, stamp and coin cover featuring a coin from the Perth Mint, international and domestic pre-paid envelopes and a prestige booklet.