Scott No: 3311-13
Serial number: 2003-18
Values in set: 3
Denomination: 3.60 yuan
Date of issue: 4th October 2003
Designer: Liu She
Size of stamps: 30*40 mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I, 9 for Sheet II
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of three special stamps titled Double Ninth Festival, issued on October 4, 2003, with a total face value of 3.60 yuan, designed by Liu She and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The Double Ninth Festival is a traditional Chinese folk festival held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The number nine is a yang (positive) number, and the doubling of the ninth day gives the festival its name, Chongyang, meaning "double yang." The customs of the Double Ninth Festival have ancient origins and evolved over time, becoming widely popular during the Tang and Song dynasties. The ancients believed that the double ninth symbolized longevity, and in modern times, the festival has also been given the meaning of respecting and caring for the elderly. This stamp set features three of the most representative folk activities of the Double Ninth Festival, recreating the traditional character of the festival and carrying forward the Chinese virtues of respecting the elderly and climbing high for blessings.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Climbing High

The stamp depicts the scene of ancients climbing to a high vantage point together to enjoy the distant view. The figures stroll among the mountains, with layered distant peaks and autumn trees turning yellow. The custom of climbing high on the Double Ninth has a long history. The ancients believed that climbing on this day could ward off disasters and bring blessings. Enjoying the autumn scenery while climbing also relaxed the body and mind, making it the core folk activity of the Double Ninth for centuries, carrying people's wishes for peace and health.

Admiring Chrysanthemums

The stamp shows literati admiring chrysanthemums in an autumn courtyard. Chrysanthemums bloom in the ninth month and are known for their resistance to frost and cold, making them the signature flower of the Double Ninth Festival. The ancients admired chrysanthemums and drank chrysanthemum wine during the festival. Admiring chrysanthemums was both an appreciation of autumn beauty and an expression of sentiment through the flower's resilient and noble character, a refined tradition of the Double Ninth that has been passed down for a thousand years.

Playing Go

The stamp depicts two elders sitting across from each other playing a game of Go in a courtyard, surrounded by tranquil flowers and trees, creating a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Playing Go was a leisurely pastime of ancient literati. Through this scene, the stamp reflects the meaning of respecting the elderly during the Double Ninth Festival, symbolizing a peaceful and happy old age and highlighting the festival's theme of respecting, honoring, and caring for the elderly.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses an elegant traditional Chinese painting style, with warm and soft tones and a strong autumn atmosphere. The photogravure printing is delicate, clearly presenting the details of the landscape, vegetation, and clothing. The three stamps correspond to the three folk customs of climbing high, admiring chrysanthemums, and playing Go, balancing movement and stillness. Together, they fully present the dual cultural significance of the Double Ninth Festival—praying for blessings and enjoying autumn, and respecting the elderly for their well-being—condensing the elegant and peaceful mood of this traditional festival into the stamps.