First traditional solar-term themed stamps issued

The first traditional solar-term themed stamps are issued. [Photo/Xinhua]

A set of special stamps themed with Chinese traditional solar terms were issued for the first time on Feb 4 – the Start of Spring, based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to China Post, the set consists of six stamps that represent different solar terms in spring. These are the "Start of Spring", "Rain Water", "Awakening of Insects", "Spring Equinox", "Clear and Bright" and "Grain Rain". The price for a whole set is 7.2 yuan (around $1.2). Stamps for the remaining three seasons will be issued separately in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

There are 24 solar terms in a year, with six for each season. They are determined by the changes in the sun's position in the zodiac during the year. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production.