The designer of the mainland's Year of the Dragon postage stamp has defended what some have described as a sinister-looking beast, saying it will help exorcise evil spirits and represents a confident China.
The latest Lunar New Year stamp, designed by Shenzhen-based Chen Shaohua, was released by China Post yesterday with a face value of 1.20 yuan (HK$1.47).
Tens of thousands of mainlanders joined overnight queues across the country to purchase the new stamp as a souvenir or investment, but many internet users say the dragon looks too ferocious and might send a signal to the world of an imperious China.
But Chen said the dragon would help counteract the evil spirits of 2012, with an ancient Mayan calendar cycle believed by some to foretell the end of the world in December. The symbol would also protect China's economy at a time of global uncertainty, Chen said.
'As a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, dragons have always had a dignified and awe-inspiring image,' he said.
Chen has previously designed postage stamps for the years of the monkey, pig and ox - the animals all depicted as genial.
Chen said on his microblog that the officials who approved the stamp had asked him to adjust his design and make the dragon 'kinder and more modern', but they later accepted his justifications.