U.S. #5662
2022 58¢ Lunar New Year – Year of the Tiger
Issue Date: January 20, 2022
First Day City: New York, NY
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Foil Stamping, Flexographic, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 24,000,000
In the Chinese zodiac, the tiger is the third animal in the 12-year Lunar New Year cycle. In 2022, the Year of the Tiger began on February 1.
Different countries have different ideas about what animal is the king of the beasts. In China, that animal is the tiger. The tiger represents power and fearlessness in Chinese culture as well as energy, royalty, protection, generosity, illumination, and unpredictability. It is also a symbol of luck. The tiger is associated with the Sun, summer, and fire.
Tigers are said to prevent household disasters such as fire and burglary. They also keep ghosts away. Temples often picture tiger paintings, tapestries, or sculptures for protection. Soldiers once painted tigers on their shields in order to strike fear in the hearts of their enemies on the battlefield. Chinese folk tales and literature commonly feature tigers, as well.
A different-colored tiger is said to rule over each of the seasons: white for fall, black for winter, blue for spring, and red for summer. A yellow tiger rules over all of the others and represents the Sun. It's amazing to think how a single animal can have so many different meanings to a culture!