Scott No: 3262-65
Serial number: 2003-4
Values in set: 4
Souvenir sheet : 1
Denomination: 4.20 yuan
Denomination of S/S : 8 yuan
Date of issue: 5th Mar. 2003
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian and Yang Jiankun
Size of stamps: 40*30 mm
Size of S/S: 140*95 mm
Size of S/S stamp : 76*54 mm
Perforation: 13*13.5
Sheet composition:
20 for sheet I; 10 for Sheet II
Printing process: photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of four special stamps titled Lilies, along with one souvenir sheet, issued on March 5, 2003, with a total face value of 4.20 yuan. The stamps were designed by Zeng Xiaolian and Yang Jiankun, with the souvenir sheet designed by Wang Huming, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The lily is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Lilium in the family Liliaceae. There are about 80 species of Lilium worldwide, 39 of which are native to China. Yunnan is the region with the richest lily resources in China. In traditional culture, the lily symbolizes harmony in all things, unity, and purity. This stamp set was issued on the opening day of the First Session of the 10th National People's Congress, using a botanical theme to express good wishes for the event, symbolizing people of all ethnic groups working together to build a better homeland. The set features four native Chinese lily species, with the souvenir sheet featuring the Yichang lily, showcasing China's rich wild plant resources and combining botanical educational value with auspicious cultural significance.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Dali Lily

The Dali lily is a wild lily species endemic to China, mainly found in Yunnan. The stamp depicts two blooming Dali lilies with white petals marked with distinct purple spots. The petals curl outward, creating an elegant and unique form. This species blooms profusely, with a single plant capable of producing dozens of flowers. It is a highly ornamental alpine wildflower. The stamp fully captures the spreading posture of the flowers and the translucent texture of the petals.

Creeping Lily

The creeping lily is endemic to China and is named for its creeping stem, which cannot stand upright. The stamp shows two pink-purple flowers hanging slightly downward, with fine markings on the petals and a soft, graceful form. This lily grows mainly in high-altitude mountainous forests and is a rare wildflower unique to southwestern China. The stamp recreates its natural growing state, displaying its elegant and lively character.

Northeastern Lily

The northeastern lily is a native lily of northern China, belonging to the whorled-leaf lily category, and is mainly distributed in the forests of Northeast China. The stamp depicts several orange-red flowers with petals curling outward, showing vibrant colors and clear textures. It is an iconic wildflower of the northeastern mountain forests, known for its cold resistance, blooming in the woods and adding vitality to the northern wilderness.

Lilium acuminatum

Lilium acuminatum is also endemic to China. Its flowers are bell-shaped and pale yellow, with narrowed petal tips and a few red spots. The stamp shows two yellow flowers with a gentle and restrained posture and a unique flower shape. This species grows in high-altitude meadows and is a representative alpine flower. The stamp fully presents its elegant and soft appearance.

Artistic and Design Features

The entire stamp set was painted by botanical scientific illustrators, balancing botanical rigor with artistic beauty and achieving a unity of scientific realism and aesthetic expression. The designs use a pure white background, highlighting the flower forms with minimal green leaves for contrast, creating a clean and simple composition. The photogravure printing accurately reproduces the translucent texture of the petals and delicately expresses petal markings and light-shadow layers, giving the flowers a three-dimensional and vibrant quality. Each stamp includes the plant's Chinese name and Latin scientific name, adding educational value. The souvenir sheet border features light-colored lily patterns, creating a fresh and elegant overall style. This is a classic work in botanical-themed stamps.