2025-01, Yi Si Year (Year of the Snake)

Serial number: 2025-1
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: January 5, 2025
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Pan Hu, Zhang Wang
Size of stamps: 36 * 36 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
6 for Sheet II
Size of sheet:
168 * 196 mm for Sheet I;
128 * 180 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset and Engraving
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

Background
China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 2 special stamps titled “Year of the Yisi (Snake)” on January 5, 2025. Designed by Pan Hu and Zhang Wang, the set draws inspiration from Dunhuang murals and traditional folk customs, skillfully integrating the image of the snake with auspicious connotations. It not only embodies the unique charm of the Chinese zodiac culture but also embodies the simple and flexible folk wisdom.

The first stamp, themed “Snake Bringing Bumper Harvests”, extracts the vivid imagery of coiled snakes in traditional Chinese culture and adorns it with festive elements to echo the New Year atmosphere. The golden snake winds gracefully, holding a bunch of “auspicious grain” in its mouth, symbolizing the beautiful scene of “abundant granaries and sufficient food and clothing”. Its shimmering golden body contrasts beautifully with the bright wheat ears, as if depicting a brilliant and prosperous picture of the harvest season. It implies a year of favorable weather, a bumper harvest of all grains, and a peaceful and prosperous era of national peace and people’s security.

The second stamp, themed “Blessings Embracing All Auspiciousness”, creatively forms the Chinese character “Fu” (blessing) with three snakes in the style of cursive calligraphy, featuring concise, free-spirited, gentle and smooth lines. The three snakes—two adults and one young—interact with delicate emotions, looking at each other affectionately, vividly presenting a warm scene of family joy. It signifies harmony and coexistence, as well as blessings filling the world, embodying people’s infinite pursuit and sincere wishes for a better life. Together, the two stamps not only reinterpret the beauty of the Chinese zodiac but also convey profound blessings for a peaceful and prosperous era and well-being throughout the year.

Printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Co., Ltd., the set has a planned circulation of 26.8 million sets.

中国邮政2025年1月5日发行《乙巳年》特种邮票一套2枚，小本票1本。
（2-1）T 蛇呈丰稔 1.20元
（2-2）T 福纳百祥 1.20元

志号：2025-1
邮票规格：36mm×36mm
齿孔度数：13度
整张枚数：版式一 16枚、版式二 6枚（图1、图2）

整张规格：版式一 168mm×196mm、版式二 128mm×180mm
版别：胶雕套印
防伪方式：防伪纸张 防伪油墨 异形齿孔 荧光喷码
设计者：潘虎、张旺
雕刻者：杨志英
小本票设计者：王虎鸣
边饰文字作者：俞国林
印制厂：北京邮票厂有限公司
计划发行数量：套票 2680万套、版式二 162万版

注：同时发行《乙巳年》邮票版式三（整张枚数：2套4枚；整张规格：120mm×160mm；对联作者：常江）。计划发行数量：414万版。用于赠送给预订2025年全年纪特邮票的预订户。
另与香港邮政、澳门邮电共同印制同题材三地小全张1枚，内含中国邮政邮票4枚（2套，无齿孔），香港邮政、澳门邮电邮票各4枚。小全张编号：MHKM-2。成品规格：206mm×200mm。版别：胶雕套印。印制厂：河南省邮电科技有限公司。邮折售价：人民币52元。计划发行数量：40.5万枚（不含港澳地区）。