According to Chinese lunar calendar, 2014 is considered Jia-Wu Year or the Year of the Horse. Horse is famous for its robustness and speed, and has played a significant role in production and social life throughout human history. People admire its nobleness and strength, as well as its undying loyalty and persistent spirit, so they bestow on the animal many good symbolic meanings. For instance, such horse-related Chinese idioms as “long ma jing shen” (As Spirited as Dragons and Horses) and “ma dao cheng gong” (Winning Success Immediately upon the Horse’s Arrival) all convey people’s good wishes. The white horse on the stamp features a well-proportioned physique and looks strong and vigorous. Its shape models after the tri-colored porcelain horse of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The peony patterns on its body symbolize wealth, dignity, and good luck, while the two bats drawn on the saddle mean “getting blessings instantly.” The stamp expresses sincere good wishes for the Year of the Horse.

Stamp Title: Jia-Wu Year (Year of Horse ) 2014-1

(1-1), Jia Wu Year (Year of Horse ), 120 fen, 36 * 36 mm

(1-1), Jia Wu Year (Year of Horse ), 120 fen, 36 * 36 mm

Serial number: 2014-1
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: January 5, 2014
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: Chen Shaohua
Size of stamps: 36 * 36 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I; 6 for Sheet II
Size of sheet:
170 * 210 mm for Sheet I; 128 * 180 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

Knowing China through Chinese Stamps.

2014-1《甲午年》特种邮票
（1-1）T 甲午年 1.20元
志号： 2014-1
发行日期：2014年1月5日
邮票规格：36×36毫米
齿孔度数：13度
整张枚数：版式一 20枚、 版式二 6枚
整张规格：版式一 170×210毫米、版式二 128×180毫米
版别：影写
防伪方式：防伪纸张、防伪油墨、异形齿孔、荧光喷码
设计者：陈绍华
印制厂：北京邮票厂
注：同时发行《甲午年》邮票版式三（整张枚数：4枚；整张规格：120×130毫米），用于预订2014全年纪特邮票的预订户。