Chinese Year Of The Monkey

The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar system that follows both the moon and the sun, and it is closely tied to the famous twelve-year zodiac cycle. Each year is represented by one of twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. According to a popular legend, the Jade Emperor invited these animals to a great race, promising that their finishing order would determine their place in the zodiac. The clever Rat arrived first, followed by the other animals in sequence, establishing the cycle that remains central to East Asian culture today. This rich blend of mythology and tradition has made the Chinese zodiac a popular theme in art, celebrations, and postage stamps worldwide.

The Year of the Monkey is the ninth sign in the Chinese zodiac and is traditionally associated with intelligence, curiosity, agility, and a lively, inventive spirit. People born under this sign are often described as quick-witted, resourceful, and adaptable, with a natural talent for problem-solving and creative thinking. In Chinese culture, the monkey symbolizes playfulness, cleverness, and the ability to navigate challenges with ease. Stamps issued for the Year of the Monkey often reflect these qualities through dynamic designs, bright colors, and imagery meant to convey luck, vitality, and joyful energy for the year ahead.

Maxicard with a stamp feature the Chinese sign of the Year of the Monkey.

Please, share your Year of the Monkey stamps and items.

The Years of the Monkey in the twentieth century occurred in 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016. The first stamps celebrating the Year of the Monkey were issued in 1968.

Somali coin feature the Years of the Monkey.

The first stamps in the world celebrating the Year of the Monkey were issued in 1968.Only four countries in the world issued stamps celebrating the YOM, all together issued five stamps and two SS's. The countries are Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Ryukyus (Note that China didn't issue any stamp celebrating the Chinese new year). Let's see the 1968 issues.

Hong Kong.


Ryukyu islands.

South Korea, a single perforate stamp was also issued.

Fourth country issued stamps for 1968 Year of the Monkey is Japan.

Like 1968, there are few issues in Year of the Monkey 1980, all by Eastern countries including South Korea, Japan, Republic of China (Taiwan) and PR of China which issued one stamp became very rare and expensive cost today hundredths of US$.

Here are the set issued by Republic of China in November 1979 for the coming Year of the Monkey.


Postal stationary:

Brochure issued by RO China philatelic service.

Year of the Monkey 1980, issued by South Korea in 1979.



This cover was sent from Busan, Korea to UNARCO company in Nigeria on December 1, 1979. The cover franked with twelve copies of the YOM stamp plus three different Korean stamps on the back. It was received in Nigeria on December 13, as an arrival postmark on the back indicated. A blue mark of UNARCO company (although written UMARCO) applied on the back on December 17, 1979.


On the front of the cover, in the lower-right corner, there is a U.S. stamp cancelled in Galveston, Texas on March 20, 1980, about three months later. UNARCO, the company mentioned, is based in Texas. However, there is no indication that the cover was ever forwarded to the United States: no U.S. address, no forwarding marks, and no postal routing clues. I therefore have no explanation for the presence of the U.S. stamp and its Galveston postmark.

Year of the Monkey 1980, issued by Japan in 1979.

The stampfeatures a traditional Japanese clay figurine called Saru-hashi or Saru no kumi ("group of monkeys"), which is part of a long folk-art tradition of making small, rounded monkey figures as New Year decorations. These stylized monkeys are considered charms for protection and good fortune and represent family harmony and generational continuity, which fit well with New Year symbolism.

The next Year of the Monkey was in 1992. During this year, many more issues appeared, and several additional countries joined in, though all still from East and Southeast Asia: the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The People's Republic of China issued a set of two stamps: the 20fen features a monkey holding the peach of longevity, and the 50fen features the Chinese character for the Year of the Monkey accompanied by a magpie, a traditional symbol of joy and good fortune.

Three different FDC's with commemorative postmarks.

Two maxicards with the above PR of China stamps for the Year of the Monkey 1992 with the official commemorative postmark.

The PR of China issued in addition a postal stationary with printed stamp (different from the above) to celebrate 1992 Year of the Monkey.



I have another card in which the front is the same but the back illustration is different. In this case, the illustration is a traditional Chinese folk "paper-cut" style image (jian zhi), which was used in the 1990s on Chinese New Year postal stationeries. The two children (heavenly boys, tongzi) symbolize good luck, prosperity, happiness, and family blessings for the coming year.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a set of two identical design stamps and a sheet to celebrate the Year of the Monkey 1992.


FDC of the stamps.

Sheet of two sets.

FDC of the sheet.

The above Taiwan set was sold inside a presentation pack.

Hong Kong issued a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet to celebrate the Year of the Monkey 1992.


Commercial cover sent to Israel.

Booklet contains a sheet of six copies of each 80c. and 2.30$.

In addition to the above set, Hong Kong issued a set of ATM's to celebrate the 1992 Year of the Monkey.