Thanks to Australia Post, here is your chance to win one of 21 Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon stamp packs valued at $28.35. Each pack includes three stamp packs, postcards and first day covers.

What do Joan of Arc, Reese Witherspoon, Stephanie Gilmore and Salvador Dalí have in common? According to Chinese Astrology they were all born in the Year of the Dragon and are likely to be brave, tempestuous, powerful, wise and perfectionists.

The Dragon is considered the most enduring symbol of good fortune, and occupies a special place in the Chinese zodiac being the only mythical creature amongst 12 animals.

In Chinese astrology, the Year of the Dragon is considered the luckiest and those born in that year are destined to have long, healthy and prosperous lives.

To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Australia Post will release a Lunar New Year stamp issue featuring the revered Dragon, which depicts the Chinese legend of how the mythical creature came to be part of the zodiac.

Chinese legend tells of Buddhas invitation to the animals to participate in a race to win 12 coveted positions on the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Dragon, although expected to win was placed fifth because he stopped to create rain to break a severe drought and then aided the Rabbit, a fellow competitor.

This story, told in both English and Chinese, features on the mini sheet of the stamp issue. The stamp designs feature the Chinese character for the Dragon on the $1.80 stamp, and paper cut motifs are used to pictorially represent the Dragon on the 60c stamp. Both designs feature a gold foil overlay.

Melbourne-based designer, Dani Poon was commissioned to illustrate the 12 Chinese zodiac stamp releases, with the Dragon being the fifth in the series.

"From growing up in Hong Kong and being immersed in Chinese culture, working on the Lunar New Year stamp issues for Australia Post has allowed me to pay homage to Chinese traditions and folklore. This years Lunar New Year stamp products are strong, vibrant and flamboyant qualities which people born in the Year of the Dragon also exhibit", says Dani.

Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt says, "This years Lunar New Year stamp products have been skillfully designed to encapsulate luck, success and new beginnings - a positive message to pass on to family and friends, both here and overseas for the Chinese New Year."

The Christmas Island Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon stamp issue comprises a stamp and coin cover with a coin from the Perth Mint, minisheet, first day cover, stamp pack which can double as a Lunar New Year greeting card, postcard, illustrated gutter strip, domestic and international postage paid envelopes, prestige booklet and a zodiac sheetlet.

The Lunar New Year stamp issue is available from 10 January 2012 at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.