A special Year of the Monkey stamp was issued by China Post on Jan 5, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Another special Year of the Monkey stamp was issued by China Post on Jan 5, 2016. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Amid the brisk, festive air of Chinese New Year, monkey-themed stamps are being issued by postal services all over the world to welcome the Year of the Monkey.

Chinese mainland

Special Year of the Monkey stamps, designed by artist Huang Yongyu, were issued on Jan 5 in the Chinese mainland.

The monkey stamps contain two designs. One depicts a monkey holding onto a vine with a longevity peach in its hand while the other shows an adult monkey with babies sitting to its left and right, symbolizing happiness, longevity and family.

Since 1980, when China Post issued its first monkey stamp, China has released stamps with one of the 12 zodiac animals before every Spring Festival. The stamps are the first sign of the Chinese zodiac to be commemorated in the fourth series of China's zodiac stamp collection. Huang, 92, designed the first monkey stamps 36 years ago.