For the first time, the Chinese lunar New Year is to get officialmascots. "Nian Wa" and "Chun Ni" - meaning "New Year Boy"and "Spring Maiden" are two mythical beings regarded assymbols of good luck and happiness.
The China International Culture Exchange Association started soliciting designs for a New-Yearsymbol in early 2014 and chose these from more than 2,000 applications. The figures alsosymbolize a balance of "Yin" and "Yang", and the patterns on their costume – a bat, and two fish,respectively – are auspicious signs of longevity and prosperity in Chinese folklore.
On the same day, China Post also released a collection of commemorativestamps featuring thetwo mascots. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February the 8th.