A staff member shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Anqing, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Xu Huoju/Xinhua)

China Post officially released a set of special stamps on Monday in celebration of the upcoming the Year of the Horse, sparking a frenzy among collectors.

Despite the winter chill, long queues began forming at post offices across Beijing as early as Sunday afternoon. By 8 a.m. on Monday, when sales officially began, eager collectors -- ranging from seasoned stamp fans to younger enthusiasts bundled up in thick coats -- were already lined up along the sidewalks.

The Year of the Horse will begin on Feb. 17, 2026, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year's celebrations carry added cultural weight following the successful inscription of the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, a milestone that has heightened public interest in traditional customs.

The collection features two stamps with a total face value of 2.40 yuan (about 34 U.S. cents).

The first depicts a red horse treading on clouds, symbolizing steady economic and social development and reflecting the nation's aspirations toward the future objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The second has three horses running together among good-luck patterns, representing the unity and joint efforts of all Chinese people as they work toward building a modern socialist country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.

In Chinese culture, the horse is a potent symbol of vitality, strength, and success. Often associated with the idiom "Ma Dao Cheng Gong" -- meaning "instant success upon the arrival of the horse" -- the animal represents an unyielding spirit and rapid progress. Horses have long been treasured for their role in transportation and prosperity, and they're still a favorite zodiac sign today, viewed as a harbinger of energy and progress in the new year.

China Post has issued annual zodiac stamps since 1980, with each collection garnering intense interest from the philatelic community. For the first time, China Post broke professional barriers this year by using a dual-track selection process, combining public submissions with expert and popular voting.

"It is not only a breakthrough in design but a vivid practice of sharing cultural development with the people," said Liu Aili, chairman of China Post Group Corporation Limited.

The sentiment was shared by a public juror spotted in a queue in Beijing on Monday. "I participated in the voting and review process three months ago," he told local media. "Seeing the stamps I helped choose finally go on sale makes this collection incredibly meaningful to me."

Monday's release includes 26.68 million sets of the basic stamps, alongside specialized formats and booklets. A joint souvenir sheet featuring stamp designs from the postal departments of the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region was unveiled on the same day.

The stamps will be available for six months at designated postal outlets and through various online platforms, including the China Post app and official WeChat stores.

A woman shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 5, 2026 shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Wang Jiankang/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Ma Haifeng/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse and related products in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Guests show the commemorative seal marking the Year of the Horse during an issuance ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Designers of special stamps marking the Year of the Horse sign for stamp collectors in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Special stamps marking the Year of the Horse are donated by China Post to the China National Archives of Publications and Culture during an issuance ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)