Post & Go Year of the Rabbit

Post & Go machines issue a new generation of self-adhesive postage stamps that are rapdily capturing the interest of stamp collectors. The stamps were first introduced by the Royal Mail back in 2008. Gibraltar is proud to issue a new set of Post & Go for the Lunar new year, Year of the Rabbit.

The rabbit is the 4th in the twelve-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol. Legend has it the Rabbit was proud of its speed. He was neighbours with the Ox and always made fun of how slow Ox was. One day, the Jade Emperor said the zodiac order would be decided by the order in which the animals arrived at his party. Rabbit set off at daybreak. But when he got there, no other animals were in sight. Thinking that he would obviously be first, he went off to the side and napped. However, when he woke up, three other animals had already arrived. One of them was the Ox he had always looked down upon.

In Chinese culture, rabbits represent the moon. Some say it is because the shadows of the moon resemble a rabbit. Others say it is because of the rabbit’s pure characteristics. To outsiders, the Rabbit’s kindness may make them seem soft and weak. In truth, the Rabbit’s quiet personality hides their confidence and strength. They are steadily moving towards their goal, no matter what negativity the others give them.