LUNAR NEW YEAR
Year of the Rabbit issued in 1987 (Hong Kong)
The use of animal names to mark the twelve lunar new year cycle has its origins in Chinese astrology dating back well over 2,000 years. Legend has it that the 12 symbolic animals were personally selected by the Lord Buddha prior to his departure from Earth. As a reward for their loyalty, he named the years in the order in which the animals appeared before him, i.e. the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Cock, Dog and Pig.
1995 - Year of the Pig (Polynésie Française)
1996 - Year of the Rat (Polynésie Française)
1997 - Year of the Ox (Canada)
1998 - Year of the Tiger (Singapore)
1999 - Year of the Rabbit (Canada)
2000 - Year of the Dragon (Malaysia and Singapore)