Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-2
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: January 15, 2008
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition:
20 for sheet I;
8 for sheet II
Size of stamp sheet:
150 * 240 for sheet I;
120 * 210 for sheet II
Size of M/S: 172 * 80 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On January 15, 2008, the special stamp "Zhuxianzhen Woodblock New Year Prints" (catalog number 2008-2) was officially issued. The set consists of four stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 4.80 yuan, with a souvenir sheet priced at 7.20 yuan issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Wang Huming and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

Zhuxianzhen woodblock New Year prints from Kaifeng, Henan, are considered the origin of Chinese woodblock New Year prints. They began in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty, and are recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Along with Yangliuqing, Taohuawu, and Yangjiabu, they are known as one of the four great woodblock New Year print traditions of China. This stamp set is the sixth in China Post's woodblock New Year print series, featuring four classic Zhuxianzhen prints, covering themes of door gods, opera stories, and folk tales. The stamps present the artistic characteristics of Zhuxianzhen prints: simple and exaggerated forms, bold and concise lines, and rich, intense colors, preserving the folk culture of the Central Plains and the unique rustic aesthetic of traditional northern New Year prints.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Step Down Whip

Image: The traditional martial door god Wei Chi Jingde, in armor and holding a steel whip, with a powerful and majestic appearance.
Significance: Door gods are the most representative category of Zhuxianzhen prints, pasted on doors to protect the home and ward off evil, continuing the thousand-year-old Spring Festival door god tradition.

San Niang Teaches Her Son

Image: Based on a traditional opera story, depicting San Niang Wang Chune diligently teaching her young son to read.
Significance: This print promotes the traditional values of education and virtuous conduct, a classic moralistic theme that has been passed down in northern China for centuries.

Returning with Full Load

Image: Based on the folk tale of King Chai pushing a cart, the print shows a figure pushing a cart full of treasures.
Significance: The image symbolizes abundant wealth, a bountiful harvest, and smooth progress, expressing the people's hopes for prosperity and well-being.

Feng Xiang Lan

Image: Featuring martial opera figures in dynamic poses, with weapons in hand.
Significance: Based on traditional heroic tales, the lively scene fits the festive atmosphere of the New Year and represents a classic style of Zhuxianzhen opera prints.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform vertical format, continuing the standardized design of the woodblock New Year print series. The stamps faithfully reproduce the original woodblock prints, preserving the rough lines and traditional high-saturation colors of the originals. The white background maximizes the textured appearance of the ancient prints, without adding unnecessary embellishments. The four stamps cover the main themes of Zhuxianzhen prints: door gods, moral tales, auspicious legends, and opera figures. The souvenir sheet features a traditional yellow background with decorative print motifs, creating an antique and elegant overall presentation.

This stamp set is an important issue in the series of China's four great New Year print traditions, and is part of the continuous woodblock New Year print series. It is meant to be collected together with the prints of Yangliuqing, Taohuawu, Yangjiabu, Mianzhu, Zhangzhou, Liangping, and Fengxiang. Available in multiple formats, it is a core item for thematic collections on folk art and intangible cultural heritage.