(People's Daily Online Photo)

China Post issued sets of Year of the Ox stamps on Jan 5 to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year which starts in mid-February. The specially designed Chinese zodiac year stamps featuring the ox can be purchased at post offices and online starting from Jan 5.

Drawn by Yao Zhonghua -- an artist who does oil painting, classical Chinese painting and gouache -- the stamps reflect the cultural characteristics of the ox, such as hardworking, persistent, practical and devoted, according to a previous China Daily report.

(People's Daily Online Photo)