Lunar new year stamp: celebrating the year of the snake

by Ruichen Ge, intern

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is set to unveil its Year of the Snake stamp on January 14, 2025, continuing its longstanding tradition of celebrating cultural diversity through its stamp program.

This latest release is a part of the 12-year Lunar New Year series. Designed by Camille Chew under the guidance of art director Antonio Alcalá, the stamp exemplifies the USPS’s commitment to honoring the richness of America’s multicultural heritage.

In interviews with AsAmNews, USPS Stamps Services Director Lisa Bobb-Semple and Alcalá illuminated the vision behind this celebrated series.

“The Lunar New Year stamps resonate deeply with collectors both in the U.S. and globally,” said Bobb-Semple, emphasizing the enduring success of this culturally significant initiative.

A Tradition of Artistic Evolution

The USPS Lunar New Year series has evolved with each iteration, encapsulating the traditions and aesthetics of its time. The inaugural series, launched in 1992 under the direction of Terry McCaffrey and illustrated by Clarence Lee, honored the Chinese zodiac animals through a lens of traditional design. Running until 2004, these stamps laid the groundwork for what would become one of USPS’s most celebrated collections.

The second series (2008–2019), introduced by Ethel Kessler and Kam Mak, shifted focus to Lunar New Year customs. These designs, showcasing motifs such as lanterns, food, and symbolic decorations, merged past and present by incorporating elements from the earlier series into Mak’s vibrant illustrations.

When the current cycle was introduced in 2020, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) encouraged a reinvention of the series. Bobb-Semple shared that the committee sought “new and different ways to celebrate this important cultural event,” leading to the current series of handcrafted masks. Alcalá’s vision ensured consistency across the series, while Chew’s artistry brought each year’s zodiac animal to life within this cohesive framework.

A Contemporary Reimagining of Tradition

The Year of the Snake honors tradition while embracing modernity. Departing from the conventional red-and-gold tones often associated with Lunar New Year, its palette of blues and greens symbolizes the wood element of the 2025 zodiac. At its heart lies a colorful, three-dimensional mask depicting a snake—an innovative reimagining of the paper-cut folk art crafts traditionally linked to Lunar New Year celebrations.

Intricate details, such as paper flowers, gold leaves, and purple baubles, further enhance the design, evoking themes of renewal and the festive vibrancy of Lunar New Year parades.

This modern approach was a deliberate choice.

“The masks are inspired by the elaborately decorated pieces often seen in dragon and lion dances, yet they are designed to appeal to a younger generation of letter writers,” Lisa Bobb-Semple said.

Artist Camille Chew’s design process embodies this balancing act, merging cultural heritage with contemporary artistry. Early in the series, Chew developed initial sketches that established the overarching visual direction for the stamps.

Each mask in the series, including the Year of the Snake, was meticulously handcrafted. Chew began by printing paper by hand, which she then cut, scored, and folded into shape. The masks were embellished with acrylic paint, floral elements, tassels, and a layer of papier-mâché backing. Once completed, the masks were photographed against a white background, bringing these striking designs to life as part of the USPS’s innovative stamp series.

Cultural Significance and Representation

Beyond its artistic appeal, the Lunar New Year stamp series celebrates cultural heritage.

“The Postal Service continues to honor the best of America through its stamp program,” Bobb-Semple said, underscoring the importance of ensuring that diverse communities see themselves represented.

These stamps allow individuals to commemorate their heritage through a simple yet meaningful gesture: sending a letter adorned with a symbol of cultural pride.

Authenticity is paramount in the creation of these stamps. USPS collaborates with experts in Chinese art and history to ensure that the designs resonate with the communities they represent.

While the series has garnered widespread praise, some feedback highlights a preference for more traditional red-and-gold designs.

“There will always be people who hope that all of the stamps will be done in a more traditional red and gold palette,” Bobb-Semple said. “We try to create stamps that build on these types of visual traditions as we explore new ways to represent the Lunar New Year celebrations.”

For Alcalá, projects like the Lunar New Year series highlight the diversity within USPS’s stamp program.

“Each stamp assignment is different with its own set of constraints,” he explained. “Some require absolute fidelity to their subject, while others allow a bit more artistic freedom. The important goal is to create an image that communicates the subject in a compelling way.”

Public Anticipation and Impact

USPS has printed 21 million Year of the Snake stamps for this release, reflecting its enduring popularity among collectors and the general public.

The contemporary aesthetic has resonated particularly well with younger audiences, offering a fresh take on the traditional program. At the same time, the designs retain the cultural richness that appeals to long-time collectors.

The stamp will debut on January 14, 2025, at Boston’s Boch Center Wang Theatre during a public ceremony hosted by USPS, celebrating the artistry and heritage of the Lunar New Year.

Customers may pre-order the Year of the Snake stamps now at USPS.com, with shipping scheduled to begin on January 14, 2025. The stamps are anticipated to be available for purchase at local post offices on the same day.

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