Updated February 12th: The international-rate stamp, its Official First Day Cover and the picture postcard are all sold out.

[press release]
Monkey takes centre stage in 12-year Lunar New Year series OTTAWA, Jan. 6, 2016 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post unveiled the images that will be featured on commemorative stamps celebrating the Year of the Monkey, which begins February 8, 2016 and ends January 27, 2017. The Monkey is the eighth stamp in Canada Post’s 12-year Lunar New Year series, which began with the Ox.

The stamps are being released in two waves – one for domestic rate (January 11) and another for international rate (February 1). All stamps and related products can be pre-ordered on canadapost.ca/shop.

Domestic and international stamps were inspired by the legend of the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, one of the main characters in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Also transformed into a famous Chinese opera, the story tells of how the sovereign accompanied the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts known as sutras.

Designed by Albert Ng and Linna Xu, the domestic stamp depicts a golden figure that is vibrant and alive against a rich red background that provides a stark and striking contrast, while the international-rate stamp features a stylized Monkey King mask with red and gold accents. Popular Chinese New Year’s greetings appear at the edge of the pane of 25 and on the OFDCs.

Those born in the Year of the Monkey are said to possess brilliance, flexibility and inventiveness, along with an excellent memory and strong will to succeed. They can, however, be easily frustrated by delays, tend to look down on others and have a fast-flaring temper. Canadians born to this lunar year include singer Céline Dion, actress Kim Cattrall and legendary pianist Glenn Gould.

About the stamps
The Year of the Monkey domestic and international stamps measure 32 mm x 32 mm and the souvenir sheet 40 mm x 140 mm. In the first wave, issued January 11, are: a Permanent™ stamp that comes in a pane of 25 or a booklet of 10 (stamps in the pane are embossed and foiled); Permanent™ stamp OFDCs; and a postcard. Available February 1 will be: an international stamp that comes in a booklet of six; a single stamp souvenir sheet that includes foil and embossing; a transitional souvenir sheet that honours both the Ram (2015) and the Monkey (2016) and includes foil and embossing; a souvenir sheet OFDC; an uncut press sheet with foil and embossing; a postcard; and frames.