Zu Tianli (Chinese, 20th C.) "Year of the Horse" Water color on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 34c Year of the Horse stamp issued February 11, 2002. Dating back to the 27th C. B.C., 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 1 of the 12 animals. The Chinese commonly refer to the year by its animal name -- 2002 is the Year of the Horse. Those born in a given year are said to share that animal's character traits. People born during the Year of the Horse are cheerful, friendly and popular. The years of the Horse are: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014. Image Size: 12.25 x 11.75 in. Overall Size: 24 x 20 in. Unframed. (B11278)