Renewal, ingenuity and wisdom typify the Year of the Snake
The Year of the Snake – Chinese Horoscope 2025 – Magyar Posta marks the Chinese New Year with a special miniature sheet issue

Magyar Posta’s latest stamp, issued in cooperation with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Hungary, was released at a ceremony at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Budapest to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Snake. The special stamp was issued by Ambassador Gong Tao, Dr Géza Láng, Deputy State Secretary for State Property of the Ministry of National Economy and member of the Board of Directors of Magyar Posta, and Jin Hao, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Budapest.

21 January 2025

For the twelfth time, Magyar Posta is issuing a miniature sheet using motifs from the Chinese horoscope. This release shows the upcoming period from 29 January 2025 until 16 February 2026, that is the Year of the Snake.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Snake is a period of intuition, transition and wisdom. The year is influenced by the element wood, which is a symbol of growth and creativity. Known for their mysterious, intuitive, calm and wise nature, people born under the sign of the Snake are both charismatic and perceptive, having almost mesmerising charm, while learning is essential for them. This period, according to Chinese belief, will be the year of new opportunities.

“The Hungarian government’s aim is for Hungary to continue to be an economic bridge between East and West, between knowledge and high technology, thereby supporting job creation and sustainable growth. Through issuing this stamp, Magyar Posta is also symbolically playing a bridging role in fostering even closer ties between China and Hungary,” emphasised Dr Géza Láng, Deputy State Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of Magyar Posta.

Chinese Ambassador Gong Tao added: “As a result of the mutual trust between China and Hungary, economic, trade and cultural ties are growing ever stronger. The snake foretells that 2025 will be the year of endless opportunities, and the most important task for humanity is to come together to solve challenges and jointly create a bright future. This is also true for relations between Hungary and China.”

The Year of the Snake stamp was designed by Kamilla Hu-Yang, who graduated in Glasgow and currently works as a graphic artist and illustrator in Budapest. The two different stamp designs in the miniature sheet, the special first day cover and the postmark on the first day cover feature snake motifs.

Jin Hao, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Budapest, pointed out: “The twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac are becoming increasingly popular around the world. The stamp series depicting the signs of the Chinese zodiac is the work of Hungarian designers and has been issued in Hungary, which faithfully reflects the connection between the two cultures and the depth of friendly sentiments.”

The Year of the Snake stamp is the last in the series of Chinese zodiac stamps issued by Magyar Posta. The previous issues are exhibited at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Budapest. Twenty thousand copies of the miniature sheet were printed by the banknote printing company Pénzjegynyomda. From 21 January 2025, the miniature sheet will be available at first day post offices, Filaposta in Hungary, and can also be ordered via Magyar Posta’s online store. The two different stamp designs in the miniature sheet, the special first day cover and the postmark on the first day cover feature snake motifs. Total face value: HUF 4,720.