Rabbit stamp symbolizes culture bond

A diverse crowd of several hundred people queued up in front of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco on Thursday morning for a ceremony that meant more to them than just the issuance of a popular postage stamp.

The United States Postal Service' launch of a special stamp for the Year of the Rabbit has come to symbolize more than just a collectors' item for many.

"We constantly talk about celebrations of our diversity as strengths," San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at the stamp's launch. "The Lunar New Year represents thousands of years of history. It is the time to promote this (Asian) community in such an extraordinary way."

Breed emphasized that San Francisco is a place where discrimination against Asians is unacceptable.

"We also know that this community has not been without challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Breed, referring to the rise in hate crimes against Asians in the past three years. Through joint efforts among many departments, organizations and volunteers, there is a significant decline in the numbers of anti-Asian crimes, she said.

China's Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin was also among attendees at the ceremony.

Inspired by decorated masks used in dragon and lion dances, USPS art director Antonio Alcala worked on the beautiful rabbit stamp design with artist Camille Chew.

More stories to tell

Jay Xu, director of the Asian Art Museum, said the Lunar New Year celebrations and the stamp launch all reflect the recognition of "our community's fine integrity and essentialism" to the United States.

"It enables us to tell more stories — our past, our present and our future," said Xu, adding that people could strike up a conversation through the collection of artifacts such as stamps.

"Stamps can go everywhere and can define friendship (between different countries and cultures). This stamp is for all. The Lunar New Year is for all."

Derek Kan, a member of the USPS board of governors, said:"For more than three decades, USPS has issued stamps highlighting the Lunar New Year, and they are some of the most successful stamp releases in our history."

Chloe Chan, a second-generation Chinese immigrant, said the rabbit stamp is very "artistic" and worthy of her long wait in line.

She has collected every stamp the USPS has issued for the Chinese New Year celebration. Chan is hopeful that her children and grandchildren will observe the Lunar New Year the same way she does, with housecleaning, holiday decorations, rituals and food to honor family roots and the Chinese culture.

The USPS issued its first Chinese New Year stamp for the Year of the Rooster on Dec 30, 1992.