Today, February 5, the United States Postal Service (USPS) celebrates Lunar New Year by issuing its 2016 Year of the Monkey stamp. The stamp art features two bright reddish-orange peonies against a purple background, illustrated by Kam Mak. Peonies symbolize wealth and honor in Chinese culture and often decorate the sides of the traditional drums played during the holiday festivities. Art director and stamp designer Ethel Kessler incorporated elements from previous series of Lunar New Year stamps to create continuity between the series. (READ MORE)