Scott No: -
Serial number: 2009-2
Values in set: 4 + 1
Date of issue: January 18, 2009
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps:
40 * 30 mm for Value 1, 4;
30 * 40 mm for Value 2, 3;
Perforation: 12
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: 90 * 160 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On January 18, 2009, the special stamp "Zhangzhou Woodblock New Year Prints" (catalog number 2009-2) 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, with original painting materials provided by Yan Wenhua, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

Zhangzhou woodblock New Year prints originated in the Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They are a representative traditional folk art of southern Fujian, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. Unique within China's New Year print tradition, they combine Central Plains culture with the regional characteristics of the maritime Minnan region. The stamps feature four classic themes: door gods for blessing, wealth prayers, folk tales of child-giving, and local children's stories, all reproduced from existing traditional woodblocks. The stamps present the vibrant colors and rustic charm of Zhangzhou prints, preserving Minnan folk culture and continuing China Post's woodblock New Year print series.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Lion's Head with Sword

Image: A red-based door god motif featuring a lion's head holding a sword in its mouth, with intricate and full decoration.
History: This is a typical Zhangzhou door god pattern used to protect homes and ward off evil during the Spring Festival. It is the most widely circulated door god type in Zhangzhou prints, reflecting the Spring Festival custom of pasting door gods in southern Fujian.
Significance: Represents the door god culture of warding off evil and seeking blessings in Zhangzhou prints.

Daily Wealth

Image: Two children, one holding a copper coin and the other embracing a treasure vessel, dressed in bright colors.
History: This auspicious print expresses the simple wish for wealth and prosperity. It is often displayed in shops and homes, representing the classic theme of seeking wealth and blessings.
Significance: Reflects the folk custom of pursuing prosperity and good fortune in Minnan culture.

Heavenly Immortal Giving a Child

Image: A heavenly official holding a child in his arms.
History: Derived from the folk belief in child-giving, this motif symbolizes the blessing of descendants and family prosperity. It was popular in southern China and is a classic theme related to marriage and fertility customs.
Significance: Embodies the ancient desire for family continuity and prosperity.

The Rat's Wedding

Image: A lively scene of a rat procession carrying a bride, beating drums and gongs, with a cat watching nearby.
History: The Rat's Wedding is a well-known folk tale found in various New Year print traditions. The Zhangzhou version is lively and full of childlike charm, with strong regional artistic identity.
Significance: A representative narrative folk story print of Zhangzhou woodblock prints.

Artistic and Design Features:

Format: The stamps alternate between horizontal and vertical orientations, faithfully reproducing the original print compositions. The use of a red background throughout preserves the festive and vibrant character of traditional New Year prints.
Color Reproduction: Faithfully preserves the high-saturation red, green, and yellow colors of traditional Zhangzhou prints, reflecting the rustic charm of the old woodblock art.
Content Selection: The themes of door gods, auspicious children, child-giving, and folk tales cover the three major categories of Zhangzhou prints: door gods, auspicious prints, and narrative prints.
Souvenir Sheet: The souvenir sheet integrates the four stamps, with border text introducing the history of Zhangzhou prints, combining aesthetic appeal with educational value.

This stamp set is a continuation of the woodblock New Year print series, following earlier issues such as Taohuawu, Yangliuqing, and Yangjiabu. It focuses on the intangible cultural heritage of southern Fujian, with distinct regional characteristics. Available in multiple formats, it is suitable for thematic collections on folk New Year prints, intangible cultural heritage, and Fujian local culture, and is often collected together with other woodblock New Year print stamps from various regions of China.