Chinese Zodiac - Dragon

The miniature sheet for the Year of the Dragon stamp in the Chinese zodiac animals series features children playing with a dragon-kite on the sandy beach of Lilla Holmen, located by the inlet to the Eastern Harbour in Mariehamn.

The art of kite-flying was developed in China almost 1500 years ago. The basic structure consists of a light frame over which fabric, paper or plastic is stretched, with a line attached to allow it to float and soar in the wind.

The miniature sheet is one in a series of stamps illustrating Chinese zodiac signs with an Åland twist. Other stamps in the series are: Åland sheep (2014), Europa – Old toys (2015), Roosters (2016), China dogs (2017), Pigs (2018), Mice (2019), Oxen (2020), Tiger cat (2021) and Hare (2022).