SINGAPORE - A new stamp set featuring the animal of the year, the monkey, will be launched on Friday (Jan 8), Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) said.

The Zodiac Monkey stamp set will usher in the Chinese New Year.

The stamp set comprises of three stamps, each with a colourful illustration of the monkey, which is one of 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac cycle.

The 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

The Monkey stamp set is the ninth of 12 sets of stamps in the second zodiac stamp series issued by SingPost.

According to Chinese astrology and belief, those born in the year of the Monkey are often said to possess character traits such as curiosity, mischievousness and cleverness.

This set of stamps comes in three denominations - 1st Local, $0.70 and $1.30.

There is also a pre-cancelled first day cover at S$3.10 each affixed with the complete set of stamps.

The first day cover is cancelled with a special 'Zodiac Monkey' postmark.

They will go on sale from Jan 8 at all post offices and the Singapore Philatelic Museum. They can also be purchased online at www.stampdelight.com.