Singapore Year of Rat FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: Zodiac Series - Rat
Issue date: 2008 January 18th

The highly intelligent, charming and enterprising Rat starts off a new cycle on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Three graphic illustrations of this lively Rat ushering in the new Lunar Year 2008 are shown in this set of stamps.

There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. According to Chinese astrology and belief, the traits of these zodiac animals not only shape the personalities of people born under the respective sign but also their lives and the events of the year.

As the first of the 12 animal signs, those born in the year of the Rat are often said to be high achievers, leaders, and great organisers. They are chrismatic, practical and hardworking. Alert and creative, they succeed not only in business but in many other fields, including in trading, accountancy, management, markeing and the arts. This year, being the year of the Earth Rat, they also have an added sense of stability and desire to secure a good future for themselves and their families.

Apart from the Rat, the other Chinese zodiac animals are: The ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Famous personalities born in the year of the Rat include William Shakespeare, Mozart, George Washington and Truman Capote.

2008 China Year of the Rat Stamp Minisheet Booklet
2008 Hong Kong Year of the Rat FDC Minisheet FDC Imperf. S/S FDC
2008 Indonesia Year of the Rat FDC S/S FDC
2008 Japan Year of the Rat Lottery S/S FDC
2008 Singapore Year of the Rat FDC Minisheet FDC
2008 Taiwan Year of the Rat FDCs Pre-stamped Postcards
2008 Thailand Year of the Rat FDC Minisheet FDC
2008 USA Year of the Rat FDC
2008 Vietnam Year of the Rat FDC