China has unveiled its first ever official mascots for the lunar New Year-"Nian Wa" and "Chun Ni". [huanqiu.com]

China's first ever official mascots for the lunar New Year were unveiled on Sunday.

The names of the couple, "Nian Wa" and "Chun Ni", literally meaning the New Year Boy and the Spring Maiden.

The design of the boy and girl mascots is based on traditional woodblock prints of two mythical immortals that represent good luck and happiness.

The patterns on their costume are a bat and two fish, which are auspicious signs of longevity and prosperity in Chinese folklore.

Li Hanqiu, a professor of classical Chinese literature at Peking University, explained why China launched the mascots.

"The Spring Festival is a grand cultural ceremony and coming together for the Chinese nation. We are announcing official symbols and mascots for the Spring Festival because we are hoping, through modern means of communication, to get across traditional Chinese culture to everyone and let it to take root among all Chinese people."

The China International Culture Association started soliciting for designs in early 2014, and say these two stood out among over 2,000 submissions.

China Post has also released a collection of commemorative stamps featuring the two mascots.