China releases Year of the Horse stamps amid collector enthusiasm

China Post officially released a set of special stamps on Monday in celebration of the upcoming the Year of the Horse, sparking a frenzy among collectors.

Despite the winter chill, long queues began forming at post offices across Beijing as early as Sunday afternoon. By 8 am on Monday, when sales officially began, eager collectors -- ranging from seasoned stamp fans to younger enthusiasts bundled up in thick coats -- were already lined up along the sidewalks.

The Year of the Horse will begin on Feb 17, 2026, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year's celebrations carry added cultural weight following the successful inscription of the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, a milestone that has heightened public interest in traditional customs.

The collection features two stamps with a total face value of 2.40 yuan (about 34 US cents).

The first depicts a red horse treading on clouds, symbolizing steady economic and social development and reflecting the nation's aspirations toward the future objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The second has three horses running together among good-luck patterns, representing the unity and joint efforts of all Chinese people as they work toward building a modern socialist country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.

In Chinese culture, the horse is a potent symbol of vitality, strength, and success. Often associated with the idiom "Ma Dao Cheng Gong" -- meaning "instant success upon the arrival of the horse" -- the animal represents an unyielding spirit and rapid progress. Horses have long been treasured for their role in transportation and prosperity, and they're still a favorite zodiac sign today, viewed as a harbinger of energy and progress in the new year.