The Shanghai Post Bureau began selling "Year of the Pig" stamps early the morning of January 5 at 98 post offices around the city.

The red and white stamps, which were designed by Chen Shaohu, depict five piglets playing around an adult pig.

The stamp is being issued by China Post in celebration of the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins on February 18. China Post began issuing stamps based on Chinese zodiac signs in 1980, the Year of the Monkey.

This is the third time it has released a Year of the Pig stamp.

The stamps have a face value of 1.2 yuan (15 US cents) and come with a special souvenir certificate.

Stamp lovers line up to buy animal stamps at the Shanghai Post Museum every year. Post officials said they will offer snacks and tea for those in line.