Lunar New Year: Year of the Ram

January 08, 2015

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, big-screen scream queen Fay Wray, and former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau – what do they all have in common, aside from being subjects of Canadian stamps?

They were all born in the Year of the Ram, whose next cycle runs from February 19, 2015, to February 7, 2016.

In Chinese culture, the ram – or male sheep – is a sacred symbol of good fortune, kindness and justice. Ancient Chinese literature often associates the ram with religion, law, ethics, politics, literature, art and folklore.

Those born under the influence of the eighth creature in the zodiac of lunar New Year are caring, sensitive (sometimes to the extreme), artistic, fashion-savvy and intuitive. They long for beauty, to see the world, and many have the special talent of being able to turn challenges into opportunities – qualities shared, to some degree, among the Canadian Rams we just mentioned.

Sheep are close relatives of the goat, a creature that holds a special place in Guangzhou (Canton), China, also known as “Goat City.” The name comes from a tale of five goat-riding fairies that brought rice and everlasting fertility to the local people. Guangzhou’s granite statue of five goats, which honours the legend, is a favourite among tourists, and locals believe that it brings them prosperity.

This Year of the Ram stamp issue is the seventh in a series of 12.

Pane of 25 stamps

$21.25

  • Product #: 403970107
  • Denomination: Permanent™
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 32 mm x 32 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 7 colours, embossing, 1 foil stamping
  • Quantity: 125,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
  • OFDC Cancellation Location: Richmond Hill ON
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Booklet of 6 stamps

$15.00

  • Product #: 413970111
  • Denomination: $2.50
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 32 mm x 32 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 5 colours, 1 foil stamping
  • Quantity: 180,000
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
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Souvenir sheet

$2.50

  • Product #: 403970145
  • Denomination: $2.50
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 40 mm x 140 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 7 colours, embossing
  • Quantity: 300,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
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Transitional souvenir sheet of 2 stamps

$4.35

  • Product #: 403971145
  • Denomination: 1 x $2.50 - 1 x $1.85
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 116 mm x 94 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 5 colours, embossing
  • Quantity: 150,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
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Uncut press sheet of 12 souvenir sheets

$30.00

  • Product #: 403970149
  • Denomination: $2.50
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 360 mm x 610 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 7 colours, embossing
  • Quantity: 11,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
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Official First Day Cover single

$1.85

  • Product #: 403970121
  • Denomination: Permanent™
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 191 mm x 113 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Quantity: 32,000
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
  • OFDC Cancellation Location: Richmond Hill ON
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Official First Day Cover souvenir sheet

$3.50

  • Product #: 403970144
  • Denomination: Permanent™
  • Design: Hélène L’Heureux
  • Dimensions: 191 mm x 113 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin
  • Quantity: 36,000
  • Illustration: Susan Scott
  • OFDC Cancellation Location: Richmond Hill ON
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