Songkran Day 1996: RAT -FDC(I)-I-

ARTICLE DESCRIPTION:

MiNo. 1698A FDC(I)-I- Thailand
Opr.; Wmk.13; A = perf. K 13 1/2:13 3/4; C = perf. K 13 1/2:13 3/4; B = imperforated
FDC(I), Issue date: 13.4.1996
Picture descriptions:
bfh) angels riding on rat, zodiac sign
1698 A 2 B multicolored bfh
Quantity FDC(I): 22,000 pieces
Designer: Mrs. Veena Chantanatat
Printer: Joh. Enschedé Security Printers Holland
Conservation status:
Here as a FDC (Version I) with perforated Single Stamp and firfst day cancellation
Issue Notice:

• Songkran is a Sanskrit word meaning passing or moving into, specifically referring to the passage of the sun into a particular sign of the zodiac. A sign refers to a particular group of stars, ther being a total of twelve zodiac signs. It takes approximately on monrth for the the sun to move in and out of a particular sign and when twelve signs have passed, a year is completed. Thi one year is called a "nakasat" year, (nakasat years refer to cycle of 12 years, called 12 nakasats). Images of different types of animals are used to represent particular signs for each of the years
• Year of Birth: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
• The rat is the first animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and is well known for its fresh ideas. To start something new is one of its favourite tasks. Though keeping on track until the new idea is ready to come into fruition is not the rat’s cup of tea. Thinking over a problem until the solution is found is one of the rat's strengths, however the rat prefers that somebody else takes over putting the plan into action and does the hard work. Rats are intelligent and good entertainers, but sometimes not very suited to the daily routine.
• Famous rats are: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.