#USA #Houston #USPS #Lunar New Year #Horse Year

USPS Celebrates Lunar New Year with Horse Stamp

On February 4, 2026, the United States Postal Service (USPS) officially unveiled its latest stamp, the "Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse," at the Chinese Community Center in Houston, Texas. This special edition stamp commemorates the year of the horse, which begins on February 17, 2026, and runs until February 5, 2027. David Steiner, Postal Service Director and CEO, who also serves as the stamp's issuance officer, remarked on the significance of the occasion: "The Postal Service is one of the oldest public institutions in America, and for 250 years, it has upheld a powerful mission: connecting all Americans through the mail. This Lunar New Year stamp continues our proud tradition of celebrating the diverse events, ideas, and communities that constitute the strength of our nation. Starting today, this beautiful illustration will accompany letters and parcels sent to millions of families and businesses across the country and the globe. May the 'Year of the Horse' stamp bring you health, joy, and prosperity."

The unveiling ceremony included guests such as Gary Poon, CEO of the Chinese Community Center, Kenneth Li, Chairman of the Southwest Management District Board, and opera singer Lian Chen Walker. The event was hosted by Luis M. Chen, Chairman of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association Board. The current series of Lunar New Year stamps was first introduced in 2020, with the Horse stamp being the seventh in a series that will continue until 2031, including designs for the Year of the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

USPS art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp, featuring original artwork created by Camille Chew. The earlier series of Lunar New Year stamps were released between 1992-2004 and 2008-2019, showcasing the works of artists Clarence Lee and Kam Mak. Alcalá expressed his excitement about the current series, stating, "I love this series! Whenever I introduce the stamp project to students or professional designers, the Lunar New Year series always receives positive feedback. One woman even tattooed the Year of the Rat design on her leg—now that’s a 'forever' stamp!"

This new stamp prominently features a vibrant and intricate three-dimensional horse mask design. Artist Chew drew inspiration from the exquisite masks worn during Chinese New Year parades, reinterpreting the traditional folk art of paper cutting in a contemporary style. The horse mask was crafted using hand-printed paper, shaped by cutting, embossing, and folding methods. It was then adorned with acrylic paint, flowers, tassels, and other paper elements, with a layer of paper pulp on the back. The patterns in the series were photographed against a pure white background. Alcalá noted, "Overall, this modern design has garnered a lot of positive reactions, which is encouraging."

Those born in the Year of the Horse are often described as energetic, free-spirited, confident, and hardworking, mirroring the speed, strength, and endurance symbolized by the horse. These traits resonate with many people's aspirations for success, stability, and good fortune as they enter the new year. In the United States, the Year of the Horse is particularly cherished for its association with independence and the spirit of freedom—qualities that strongly align with the American ethos. Many Asian Americans and non-Asian individuals alike view the Year of the Horse as a time to embrace vitality, set new goals, and face challenges head-on.

The "Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse" stamp is available in sheets of 20 and serves as a forever stamp, maintaining a value equivalent to the current one-ounce first-class mail rate. News about the stamp can be shared using the hashtags #LunarHorseYear and #LunarNewYearStamp. USPS has printed 20 million copies of the stamp, which is currently for sale at post offices nationwide and on usps.com.

Postal customers can purchase stamps and other philatelic products via the USPS online store (usps.com/shopstamps), by calling 844-737-7826, mailing orders to USA Philatelic, or visiting local post office branches. For officially licensed stamp products, the Amazon USPS authorized collection is available. For more information on stamps, first-day ceremonies, and other stamp-related products, please visit stampsforever.com. It is important to note that the United States Postal Service is an independent federal agency that operates on a self-funded basis and is committed to safely delivering mail and parcels to more than 170 million addresses in all communities six days a week, and usually seven days a week, in an affordable and reliable manner. Under the oversight of a bi-partisan board, the Postal Service celebrates 250 years of serving its customers while advancing a network modernization plan to restore long-term financial sustainability, enhance service levels, and maintain its status as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. Operating funds for the Postal Service are generally not derived from taxpayer dollars but are instead generated through the sale of postage, products, and services. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality audio and video as well as static images, visit the USPS newsroom. Follow USPS on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, and LinkedIn. Be sure to subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel for more information about the Postal Service. For additional details about the USPS, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.