There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.

The cheerful, energetic and warm-hearted Horse, seventh in the Zodiac Cycle starts off yet another New Year on the Chinese zodiac calendar in 2014. Three graphical illustrations of this powerful Horse ushering in the new Lunar Year 2014 are shown in this set of stamps of 1st Local, 65¢ and $1.10.

Being the seventh of the 12 animal signs, those born in the year of Horse are often said to possess character traits such as quick-witted, ingenious communication skills and talented. Because of the nature of always wanting to be in a limelight, Horse individuals love entertainment and large crowds. They are popular among friends, active at work and definitely enjoy fun. They are an adventurer at heart and always have great and dynamics new approaches.

As 2014 is the year of the Wood Horse, they are friendly and cooperative. The Wood Horse will have a happy disposition and be very active in social affairs. Amusing and good conversationalist, Wood Horse individuals will not be overly egoistical and will not constantly vie for headlines. Their highly spirited character will also look forward to welcome in the new because changes and new inventions capture their imagination.

Famous personalities born in the Horse year include Chopin, Sir Isaac Newton, Cindy Crawford, Harrison Ford, Jackie Chan, Oprah Winfrey, Genghis Khan, Emperor Kangxi and Yongzheng of China's Qing Dynasty.