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China Post released its official zodiac Year of the Rabbit stamps for public sale on 5 January.
One design features a blue rabbit with red eyes, holding a pen in its paws about to write a New Year message. The colour scheme is a play on words: ‘Blue rabbit’ (蓝兔 lán tù) and ‘blueprint’ (蓝图 lán tú) sound similar in Chinese.
The design of the stamp immediately sparked online debate.
“Look at that devil-like rabbit. I can't bring myself to buy it.”
看到那个妖里妖气的兔子，我实在没法下单
Some netizens even joked:
“This rabbit looks exactly like how I feel!”
这是一只符合我精神状态的兔子 [1]
But maybe this was part of China Post’s plan to drive sales?
“The reason why the zodiac stamps sparked heated discussions this year is the mismatch between public and expert opinions. China Post selected the design carefully. It may also be hoping that this tension will be a gimmick and attract more attention. This in turn would lead to a higher collection value and more room for value appreciation.”
今年生肖邮票引发热议的原因在于大众审美和专家审美的冲突，邮政方面在层层挑选中选定这套作品，也有可能是希望这个冲突成为一个噱头，引起更多人的关注，进而提升邮票的收藏价值和升值价值 [1]
China Post’s bet paid off. After the initial controversy, devil bunny stamps made a comeback selling out across the country.
“It was a turnaround: Although the blue rabbit stamp below caused a lot of online controversy, stamp collectors across the country lined up all night to buy them, making the blue rabbit stamp a big hit. ”
简直是打了一个翻身仗：尽管此前下面这张蓝色兔子的兔年邮票在网上引发很大争议，但全国邮迷通宵排队疯抢的事实，却让这张蓝色兔子的兔年邮票大获成功。
So that’s what we explore this week!
Favourite Five
1. 拽 zhuǎi
to act important, to look superior
“这只兔子很拽，有种爱谁谁、别惹哥的感觉 - This rabbit is quite a character. It looks like it couldn’t care less. [1].
Note: This is originally a Shandong dialect word which is now common in spoken mainstream Chinese.
2. 寓意 yù yì
symbolic meaning
我觉得兔年邮票上的兔子活泼可爱，寓意团圆 - I think the rabbit on the Year of the Rabbit stamp is so cute. It signals togetherness. [2]
3. 打翻身仗 dǎ fān shēn zhàng
turn around; make a comeback
没有想到蓝色兔子居然打翻身仗，实现成功逆袭 - Who would have expected the Blue Rabbit to turn things around and successfully make a comeback? [2]
Note: Similar to 咸鱼翻身 - ‘back from the dead’, which we discussed in June last year.
4. 古灵精怪 gǔ líng jīng guài
weird; eccentric
这只蓝兔风格新奇、古灵精怪，别有一番趣味 This blue rabbit has a novel style, eccentric spirit, and is a lot of fun. [1]
Note: This is technically not an idiom. It’s a set four-character phrase which was in every article I read about this story.
5. 摩拳擦掌 mó quán cā zhǎng
rub fists, wipe hands; getting ready for battle
得知今年生肖邮票由黄永玉创作后，便摩拳擦掌准备抢购几套 - After learning that this year's zodiac stamps were created by Huang Yongyu, I am eager to buy a few sets. [1]
Consuming the conversation
Useful words
晒 shài
share images online
在社交平台上，越来越多年轻人晒出自己抢到的“红眼蓝兔” - On social media platforms, more and more young people are posting the "red-eyed blue rabbit" they have managed to get hold of. [1]
Related:
晒图 shài tú - share images online
喜晒图 xǐ shàitú - happily share images online
鬼才 guǐ cái
eccentric genius
黄永玉被称为美术和文学界的一代“鬼才” - Huang Yongyu is known as a genius in the field of art and literature. [1]
妖气 yāo qì
demon spirit
有网友表示，邮票里的蓝色兔子透着妖气，给人一种怪异的感觉 Some netizens said that the blue rabbit in the stamp looks like a demon, giving people a spooky feeling. [1]
逆袭 nì xí
comeback
蓝色兔子成功逆袭：全国邮迷通宵排队抢购 - The Blue Rabbit has made a successful comeback: Stamp collectors across the country lined up all night to buy them. [2]
糟蹋 zāo tà
spoil; ruin
别糟蹋了萌这个字 - Don’t ruin the word “cute” by associating it with this rabbit. [3]
Related: you often hear zāo ta in spoken Chinese
Three-character phrases
排长龙 pái cháng lóng
making a long queue
在四川凉山，邮局外面同样排起了长龙 - In Liangshan, Sichuan, there was also a long queue outside the post office. [2]
一坨屎 yì tuó shǐ
a pile of shit
