T112, Ding-Mao Year (1987 Year of the Rabbit)《丁卯年.兔年》

Stamp Title: Ding-Mao Year (1987 Year of the Rabbit)
Serial number: T112
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: January 5, 1987
Denomination: 8 fen
Designers: Li Fangfang
Engraver: Sun Hongnian
Size of stamps: 26*31mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 80(10*8)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The year 1987 is the Year of Ding-Mao on lunar calendar. It is the Year of Rabbit according to a traditional 12-year circle associated with 12 symbolic animals. The rabbit makes the medicine in the palace of moon. Later, people have been worshipping a clay figurine with a head of rabbit. The figurine, regarded as a symbol of good luck and happiness, has been made in many forms and deeply loved among the people.

T112 丁卯年
8分，兔，11481.65万枚。
发行日期：1987.1.5。影雕套印。P11.5。26mm×31mm。80（8×10）。
[A]李芳芳。[E]孙鸿年。印刷：北京邮票厂。

兔在中国神话中是长寿的象征、月亮的象征，因此兔年出生的人被认为是最走运的。中国人认为，月亮上面有一只玉兔，在它旁边有月桂树和长生不老药，还有一个叫做嫦娥的美丽仙女，她便是因为偷吃了丈夫的长生不老药而升到天上去的。

兔子又是仁慈、举止文雅、和蔼及爱美的象征，因此兔子广泛为中国老百姓所喜爱，并将它的形象用纸剪出来或画出来，张贴在窗户

本套邮票的设计者在设计这一充满中国民俗文化色彩的主题时，采取了中国民间传统工艺美术的手法，尤其借鉴了陕北黄土高原上的剪纸和泥玩具的一些技法。图案底色为白色，显得纯净，设计者所画的兔子不用黑色，除拙朴的轮廓外，施以逐渐浅淡的灰色，以突出柔和洁白的兔身。设计者汲取了剪纸的表现手法作为装饰因素，配以品红、品绿色，以增强清新之感。