On January 5, 2026, Macau Post issued a series of four stamps and a souvenir sheet in honor of the Year of the Horse.

In Chinese tradition, the Horse is considered one of the most energetic signs of the Chinese zodiac. It symbolizes freedom, movement, vitality, and forward striving.

The postage stamp series was designed by renowned Macau artist Lio Man Cheong. He works in watercolor, blending graphic design with modern Chinese calligraphy.

Lio Man Cheong has collaborated with Macau Post since the 1990s, creating expressive postage stamps in a distinctive painterly style. In an interview with local publications, the artist said that when working on this series, he wanted to convey not just a portrait of a horse, but its inner energy and movement.

This issue is very interesting and quite different from the usual series dedicated to the Chinese zodiac. At first glance, everything seems simple—four stamps and a block with large watercolor images of horses. But the longer you examine these stamps, the more deeply you become immersed in the beauty and harmony of the designs and comprehend their hidden meaning.

The stamp designs are very minimalist, devoid of heavy details; the horses seem to emerge from the movement of the brush and the flow of color. The images are built on dynamic line, free space, and a sense of continuous movement. At the same time, the designs are imbued with a profound philosophy, where each element and color has its own meaning.

It's no coincidence that the series consists of four stamps; upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that each stamp is associated with a specific season. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice an interesting detail: each stamp, in addition to a horse, depicts various birds. And in Chinese artistic tradition, birds are often associated with a specific season.

The first stamp is "Spring," executed in soft green tones. The horse itself is grayish, as if dissolved in the morning spring air. In Chinese painting, such smoky hues are often associated with damp mist and the awakening of nature. Swallows circle above the horse—a traditional Chinese symbol of spring, the return of warmth, and the beginning of a new life cycle. Spring here is not bright and noisy, but quietly born.

The second stamp, "Summer," is filled with red hues—the color of the sun and the element of Fire. This is the most dynamic stamp in the series: the horse's movement conveys strength and heat. Herons fly above the fiery red horse. In Chinese art, they are closely associated with summer landscapes with water, air, and a state of full vitality.

The third stamp in the series is "Autumn." Its palette leans toward ocher and golden-red tones. The horse here is no longer fiery and vibrant, but dappled gray. The impression is not of strength and youth, but of calm maturity. Small sparrows are depicted at the top of the composition. This is a very characteristic Chinese image. In traditional painting, sparrows often symbolize the quiet beauty of autumn.

The final stamp, "Winter," is built on cool blue and white tones. Magpies—a very important symbol of Chinese culture—are depicted above an almost ghostly blue-and-white horse. In China, the magpie is considered a bird of good news and hope. It is often depicted in winter next to the meihua plum tree, a symbol of resilience in the cold. The winter composition is the most tranquil and contemplative. There is no vibrant movement here—only clear air, light, and a sense of inner peace.

Thus, the Macau stamp series is not only beautiful and expressive, but also multilayered. And in my opinion, this is precisely its charm. These are not just pretty horse stamps. The artist has constructed an entire system of imagery, subtly and allegorically interweaving the seasons and stages of life in the postage miniature: spring—birth, summer—flowering, autumn—maturity, and winter—silence and wisdom. And the horse, in its year, goes through this entire cycle with nature. This series conveys the beauty of life's continuous movement and a profound philosophical understanding of a world where everything is interconnected and inseparable.

You can find the technical details of the issue in the catalogue.

Sources: philately.ctt.gov.mo, macaodaily.com