WASHINGTON - A NEW US stamp marking the Lunar New Year goes on sale on Thursday, the US Postal Service said.
Asian folklore lists 12 animals as representing years, and attributes the characteristics of those animals to people born in that year.
This year is the Year of the Ox, and it happens to be the sign under which President-elect Barack Obama was born. Mr Obama was born on Aug 4, 1961.
People born under that sign are said to be hardworking, tolerant and persistent.
The Lunar New Year stamps were introduced last year with a Year of the Rat stamp.
This year, the Lunar New Year festival begins on Jan 26.
Others born during a Year of the Ox include former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, singer Bruce Springsteen, boxer Oscar De La Hoya, and actors George Clooney, Richard Gere and Dustin Hoffman.
They also include the late artist Vincent Van Gogh; Diana, Princess of Wales; and former President Richard Nixon. -- AP
