11th June 2026 Cats
For centuries, the cat has held a special place in human life, both as a pet, a useful animal, and a symbolic figure in culture.
In ancient Egypt, the cat was worshipped as a sacred animal and valued for keeping pests at bay. In Norway, the cat has been part of the culture since Viking times, where it had both practical significance and a role in mythology. Although, during the Middle Ages, the cat was affected by superstition and fear, today it has found its place as Norway's most popular pet, with over 750,000 cats spread across around 400,000 households. Most are domestic cats, while a few are pedigree cats.
Last year, cats received extra attention when Posten, in cooperation with the TV 2 programme "God morgen Norge", let the general public vote on which cats should adorn this year's four stamps. Over 9,000 photos were submitted to the competition, and a jury selected 10 finalists that all of Norway was invited to vote on.
The winners were the Siberian cat Hyacinth, who was only six months old when the photo was taken, Mio, with his blue eyes and big personality, Primus, a mixed breed who spreads joy, and Raija, a cheerful kitty who was rescued from a cat colony.
Congratulations to the winners and their proud owners!
Facts
- NK 2166-2169 CATS
- Values and subjects: Norway small: “Hyacinth”
- Norway small: “Mio”
- Norway small: “Primus”
- Norway small: “Raija”
- Design: Camilla Kvien Jensen
- Photos: Anja Schuldt Huseby, Rita Bekken, Lene Gundersen, Tove Kristine Jensen
- Size: 25 x 45 mm
- Issued in: Roll of 100 stamps (25 of each)
- Print: Offset from Joh. Enschedé Security Print
- Print run: 405,000