Chasing the Dragon...and the Monkey and the Rooster(2)
Chen Shaohua, designer of the 2012 dragon zodiac stamp, defends his design. Shang Hongtao / for China Daily
Chen is no greenhorn. He had previously designed four zodiac stamps over the last 20 years.
The selection committee this year had requested a younger, more modern dragon, he said on his blog, but Chen justified his design saying his dragon image was inspired by the patterns on the imperial Qing robes and Nine Dragon Wall. He said it symbolized China's growing confidence and importance on the world stage.
Chen probably learned from past experience. In 2010, his stamp design for the Year of the Tiger featured an affable-looking mother tiger sitting with her cub. The design lost to a rival entry that showed a youthful and energetic tiger, standing hands on hips.
