Monkey on stamps

The USA will issue this stamp in February to celebrate the Year of the Monkey. [Photo/usps.com]

United States

The 2016 Year of the Monkey Forever stamp from the United States Postal Service will be issued Feb. 5. The stamp is the ninth of 12 stamps the Celebrating Lunar New Year series.

The stamp depicts two bright reddish-orange peonies against a purple background. The peony is the national flower of China, and can be used to symbolize prosperity, beauty and peace, appropriate sentiments for the approach of a new year. A small gold monkey based on a paper-cut design adorns the upper left corner of the stamp.