Scott No: 3346-9
Serial number: 2004-5
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 3.20 yuan
Date of issue: 2nd April 2004
Designer: Li Yongqing and Li Guozhu
Size of stamps: 40*30 mm
Perforation: 12.5*13.5
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I; 8 for Sheet II (se-tenant)
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This special stamp set, Chinese Idioms and Allusions (I), was issued on April 2, 2004. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 3.20 yuan, designed by Li Yongwen, with Liu Jihong serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using offset printing.

Chinese idioms and allusions encapsulate the wisdom and historical stories of the ancients, and are treasured gems of Chinese language and culture that have been passed down for millennia. This set features four well-known classic idioms, using narrative illustrations in the style of traditional Chinese painting to recreate the scenes of the allusions. It combines education with art, showcasing the unique literary charm of traditional Chinese culture and launching the idiom and allusion stamp series.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Handan Learns to Walk

The stamp depicts a young man who traveled to Handan to imitate the local walking style, only to forget his own way of walking. This satirizes the blind imitation of others and the loss of one's own identity, advising people to remain true to themselves and avoid following others blindly.

Rising at the Rooster's Call

In the dim light of dawn, a rooster crows, and Zu Ti practices martial arts with his sword. The scene captures the spirit of diligence and self-motivation, symbolizing ambition, self-discipline, and the determination to make the most of one's time.

Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting Gall

King Goujian of Yue rests on a pile of brushwood and tastes bitter gall to remind himself of his nation's humiliation. He endures hardship and waits for the right moment to rise again, conveying the spirit of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Carrying the Rod and Apologizing

Lian Po, bare-chested and carrying a thorny rod, offers an apology to Lin Xiangru. This scene demonstrates the virtue of acknowledging one's mistakes and reconciling for the greater good, embodying tolerance, humility, and a sense of shared responsibility.

Artistic and Design Features

The vertical format features a traditional gongbi (meticulous brushwork) style, with full and complete compositions and an antique elegance. The figures are vivid and lifelike, with warm and simple colors. The offset printing provides soft and delicate colors. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The designs combine narrative storytelling with the beauty of traditional painting and calligraphy.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of traditional Chinese idioms and allusions, suitable for thematic collections on classical literature and historical stories.