COVER N. 203 - FRANCE

Postmark:  Nouvel An Chinois - Année du Lapin - Premier Jour -14.01.2023 - Paris 

Posted on the 14th January; Received on the 17th January 2023
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Happy new year to all who celebrate the new year by the Chinese calendar, and thank you so much Pierre and Roland, for letting me add this rather joyful first day cover to the collection.

Now that a month is almost past into the new year by our calendar without that many good news on the international front, starting anew might be a good option. 😀

I do not believe in astrology and zodiac. either Western or Chinese. I believe that people are essentially the product of their genetic heritage coupled with the socio-cultural/natural background wherein they develop their personality all through their lifetime. So my being a rat or a piscean means absolutely nothing to me.

That said, I really think that beliefs are part of one's personal and intimate heritage and as such should be fully respected. As such I hope all those  rabbits out there get the most of their year, for they will have to wait for another 12, for the next chance...😀

The Chinese new year is well catered for in terms of philately, with many a postal administration issuing annual sets dedicated to the theme. This is probably also a measure of how broad fetching is the Chinese diaspora, and how important is its cultural relevance.

The year of the rabbit began on the 22nd January. Traditionally, new year celebrations begin the week before the date and so La Poste was right on the first row with its annual Chinese New year issue, that began to circulate on 14JAN2023. comprising 2 stamps, one for domestic service, lettre verte,  denominated at 1,16€ and the one on my cover, with a face value of 1,80€.

The rabbit theme is also the main image on the first day of circulation postmark, applied in Paris.