KPC3425-3426: New Year’s Greetings

2020 is the year of the rat in the year of Gyeongja. As the rat is perceived to be a symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity, the year of rat is, therefore, considered to be a year full of hope and opportunity. Thus, the Korea Post has chosen to issue these New Year`s Greetings stamps in celebration of the Year of the Rat.

The small but fertile rats have long been the symbol of fertility. A pair of rats can normally produce 7-10 pups, 5 times per year. Rats are also known for their top-notch survival skills. Rats generally have poor vision. However, they are equipped with a few powerful senses, including the senses of touch, hearing, smell, and taste that help them adapt to and navigate through any environment even at night. The rats have incisors that are highly specialized for gnawing anything, while their long whiskers function as sensory organs. Their agility and predictability enhanced by their long whiskers are one of the secrets to their remarkable survival skills. Rats may be able to detect an earthquake or tsunami ahead of people.

In the run-up to the imminent earthquake or tsunami, you might see hordes of rats moving or fleeing a ship. The unusual or strange behavior of rats prior to any significant natural disaster is interpreted as a precursor to such an event. Therefore, for people living in coastal areas or on islands, the rats‘ movement is used for predicting storms, and taking the necessary safety measures. Though people usually disliked this small and agile animal because it stole grains, they still acknowledged the diligence and vitality of a rat as evidenced in Korean folk tales. Those who were born at night during the rat year were believed to live a rich life as rats were seen as a sign of wealth and abundance. Rats were generally considered to be good protectors of the wealth they had accumulated. People also believed that luck is always on the side of a person who was born in the year of the rat.

These new postage stamps feature cute little rats. The white rats in the heart-shaped ornaments are handing over a large red berry, and the rats poised to catch the light are making a New Year s wish towards the twinkling lights. We hope that the year 2020 is blessed with abundance, warmth and the wonder of a loving heart just like the white rats on these postage stamps.