Zodiac signs will always be a popular topic on stamps.
There are 12 (originally 13) zodiac signs in a year, according western astrology, and 12 animal signs in a 12-year cycle, according the eastern astrology.
In 2023, Mongolia issued two sheetlets, with one stamp each.
One is dedicated to western astrology, showing the 12 signs, around a circular stamp.
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| 1st sheet - 12 western zodiac signs |
In the middle of the circle with the 12 western zodiac signs, we find a round stamp, where the symbol for each sign is placed under the according picture above.
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| round shaped stamp with 12 zodiac symbols |
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| detail gemini |
The second sheetlet shows the 12 animals in the easter zodiac circle.
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| 2nd sheet - 12 asian zodiac signs |
Here we find the more older symbols, that described someone's personalty based on the year of birth (starting around 4 February each 'western' year).
The word 'zodiac' is derived from the ancient Greek : zōdiakòs kýklos (ζῳδιακός κύκλος), which literally means 'circle of animals'.
This circle is binary composed, as each year is alternately male or female.
The 'male' years are Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey and Dog, where the 'female' years are Ox, Hare (Rabbit), Snake, Sheep, Hen (Rooster) and Pig.
In the middle, we find a round shaped stamp.
Each of the twelve animals surround the central stamp. The animals are depicted as human forms, with the head of an animal.
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| sheet detail : Rabbit - Dragon and Snake |
For the next years, here are the 12 zodiac signs, after that, the cycle restarts.
| Jan 22 2023–Feb 09 2024 | Rabbit |
| Feb 10 2024–Jan 28 2025 | Dragon |
| Jan 29 2025–Feb 16 2026 | Snake |
| Feb 17 2026–Feb 05 2027 | Horse |
| Feb 06 2027–Jan 25 2028 | Goat |
| Jan 26 2028–Feb 12 2029 | Monkey |
| Feb 13 2029–Feb 02 2030 | Rooster |
| Feb 03 2030–Jan 22 2031 | Dog |
| Jan 23 2031–Feb 10 2032 | Pig |
| Feb 11 2032–Jan 30 2033 | Rat |
| Jan 31 2033–Feb 18 2034 | Ox |
| Feb 19 2034–Feb 07 2035 | Tiger |
