January 4, 2005 Ottawa -- Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come bid him farewell before he departed the Earth. Only 12 showed up and, to show his appreciation, he named a year for each animal in the order of its arrival: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep/Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. On February 9, the Chinese will celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rooster - he who heralds in the day and announces its exit. Canada Post will start the festivities on January 7, 2005, by issuing two stamps honouring this important celebration. A total of 8 million domestic-rate (50 cent) stamps and 1.05 million souvenir sheets of one international-rate ($1.45) stamp commemorating the Year of the Rooster will be available in post offices across the country. People born in the Year of the Rooster (1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, and 2005) are believed to be proud, dignified and flamboyant and to posses a heart of gold. They are straightforward, lack deviousness, are sociable, entertaining and can be the soul of social gatherings. Roosters are perfectionists with great organizational skills. Cleanliness and tidiness are of great importance to them. They are practical, confident individuals who strive to achieve their ambitions and have great success in many fields. Well known Canadians who were born in the Year of the Rooster include Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Neil Young, Gabrielle Roy and Hayden Christensen. This chicken (yes, chicken! The female is called a hen) has a long history in the religions and literatures of the world. He can be as cunning as Chanticleer or as pompously cartoonish as Foghorn Leghorn, but all agree, no one ignores the rooster. This bird is known for its feistiness, yet its aggressiveness and strutting have also caused it to be associated with base qualities such as arrogance, bad temper and frustrated desires. Canada Post's stamp design marries traditional Chinese watercolour techniques and computer-generated brushstrokes. The effect is stunning in that the bird seems alive, ready to charge human or animal that would dare invade his turf. Designer Hélène L'Heureux (of Gottschalk+Ash International) used entirely computer-generated brushstrokes inspired by the artistry of master Chinese calligraphers, as well as the work of contemporary Chinese artist Xu Bing and his invented brushstroke characters. To provide a subtle dimensional image of the rooster, an intricate embossing pattern design is artfully combined with foil stamping which also provides unique philatelic features. Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and downloadable high-resolution photos of the Year of the Rooster stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550. - 30 - For further information, contact:Cindy DaoustOttawa (613) 734-4258
