Today is Candlemas - a day when it was traditional to take down Christmas decorations (mine were it away last. weekend). The weather here has been hinting at spring, alternating between 30s and 50s (low single digits to low teens in Celsius), so it seems fitting that it is also Imbolc, the pagan festival celebrating the beginning of spring, and a public holiday in Ireland. And last week was the Lunar New Year, saying goodbye to the Year of the Dragon and welcoming the Year of the Snake. The Snake is associated with mystery, elegance and energy, renewal and transformation.
USPS continues its lovely series of Lunar New Year stamps. I am a bit disappointed that this one isn't in the form of a mask like the rest of the set, however it is a nice stamp, with bright red foil flowers. I received it on this fun exchange envelope - I love the little snake Jessica drew!
It is difficult to capture the foil elements in a photo. It is not obvious from USPS where the foil is (if Viridian posts today, perhaps she will show the full sheet).
In an amazing mail coincidence, I received this fantastic snake envelope (paint and collage) from Eric on the first day of the Year of the Snake.
Update: this envelope took a hint from the snake quality of transformation, and arrived in a different form to how it started its journey
For more snakes on stamps, explore the links at See it on a Postcard
The snake looks as though it has decorated itself for the year, very flowery. Great envelopes.
ReplyDeleteHappy mail!
ReplyDeleteI love the drawing of a snake on the first envelope. And the lunar new year stamp, too. How did the yellow envelope design change? magic? :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic envelope!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look like a mask to me, but it is a fine stamp, as the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I cannot believe the mail monsters ate a whole snake!!