China Post has officially issued its 2026 Bingwu Year (丙午年) zodiac stamps, marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse with a two-stamp special set. The stamps were formally released nationwide and are already drawing attention for their dynamic imagery and refined traditional styling.
According to Hainan Daily, the set consists of two officially titled designs, each emphasizing a different aspect of the horse’s cultural symbolism.
The Two Official Stamp Designs
The 2026 《丙午年》 special stamps include:
- 《驰跃宏图》
English translation (descriptive): “Galloping Toward Grand Prospects”
This design highlights strength, momentum, and forward ambition through a single red horse in full motion. - 《万骏臻福》
English translation (descriptive): “Myriad Steeds Attaining Blessings”
This stamp presents multiple horses galloping together, expressing harmony, warmth, and shared prosperity.
Note: The English titles above are translations for explanatory purposes, not official English names issued by China Post. The official titles are the original Chinese names.
The stamps feature flowing lines, high‑spirited poses, and cloud motifs, reinforcing movement and vitality while maintaining a strong New Year visual identity.
Design Features Visible on the Issued Stamps
- Denomination: ¥1.20 per stamp
- Issuer: 中国邮政 (China Post)
- Year marking: 2026
- Zodiac designation: 丙午年 (Bingwu Year)
- Color palette: dominant reds and golds, with cloud and traditional decorative motifs
- Formats: individual stamps and full stamp sheets
A First for the Zodiac Stamp Series
This release represents a notable first in the history of China’s zodiac stamp program.
For the first time since the series began in 1980, China Post opened the zodiac stamp design process to public submissions, alongside professional review and selection. While the final designs were completed by professional designers, the process marked a shift toward broader public participation in shaping a national cultural symbol.
The zodiac stamp tradition itself began with the 1980 Year of the Monkey stamp, designed by Huang Yongyu and Shao Bolin, and has continued annually ever since.
The Horse in Chinese Cultural Tradition
The horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac and has long symbolized:
- Energy and endurance
- Speed and progress
- Ambition and success
Common idioms such as 驰骋千里 (“to gallop a thousand miles”) and 万马奔腾 (“ten thousand horses charging forward”) reflect these associations and align closely with the themes expressed in the 2026 stamp designs.
The contrast between the two stamps, one focused on individual momentum, the other on collective movement, reflects a familiar balance in Chinese cultural expression between personal drive and shared fortune.
For Collectors and the Public
As with previous zodiac issues, the 2026 Year of the Horse stamps are expected to appeal to both collectors and the general public, serving as functional postage as well as cultural keepsakes tied to the Lunar New Year.
With their confirmed titles, denomination, and official release, the 2026 stamps stand as a well-documented addition to China’s long-running zodiac stamp series.
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