Every year, it is a tradition to make designs based on the zodiac animals. This year is not exempted from the trend.  As the country is preparing for the Spring festival, Monkey themed designs are receiving special attention, from handicrafts, commemorative coins and even fashion items.

Huang Yongyu, an artist, issued his design of the special Year of the Monkey stamp on January 5. People lined up to buy the stamps. Some were  seen waiting  the whole night for the stamp to be released. The cost of the stamp climbed 10 times on the first day  and almost 30 times 20 days after its  release.

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Monkey-themed stamps were also released in Hong Kong and Macau for New year. "Fire Monkey" is the basis of Macau's stamp design. It depicts a scene in the classic novel Journey to the West where the main character Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, puts down the conflagration on the Fire Mountain with a magical fan.

Commemorative coins have also been hot among collectors besides stamps. On Jan 16, the People's Bank of China issued the commemorative coins for the Year of the Monkey. Authorities began taking pre-orders at midnight on Jan 13 and all the coins had been reserved by morning.

Monkey dolls and toys are also a hot sale in supermarkets and shopping malls with sales volumes continuously rising.

Monkey-themed arts such as dough figurines, paper cuts, paintings and sculptures made out of different materials by folk artists have also been part of the craze.

Local and foreign designers are incorporating the monkey theme into garments, shoes bags watches and other items. Even luxury brands are applying zodiac animals to their designs to take advantage of the marketing opportunities brought by the Chinese New Year.

Tagsmonkey, Fashion, Chinese New Year, design