Huang Li (Chinese, B. 1941) "Year of the Tiger" Original mixed media on paper painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 60c Happy New Year 1998 Souvenir Sheet issued January 2, 1998. The Chinese calendar is a combination of symbolism and mathematical complexities. Twelve animals are associated with the calendar -- the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. During the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 220), the Chinese calendar was organized into repeating 12-year cycles, with each year designated by one of the 12 animals. The Chinese commonly refer to the year by its animal name -- 1998 being the Year of the Tiger. Those born in a given year are said to share that animal's character traits. Thus, people born during the Year of the Tiger are powerful, ambitious and determined, yet also kind. The Chinese year begins with the second new moon after the winter solstice, sometime between January 21 and February 20. Image Size: 10.5 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 11 x 14.5 in. Unframed. (B15814)