Scott No: -
Serial number: 2010-4
Values in set: 4 + 1
Date of issue: February 6, 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: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition:
20 for sheet I;
8 for sheet II (2 sets)
Size of stamp sheet:
150 * 240 for sheet I;
120 * 210 for sheet II
Size of M/S: 150 * 100 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On February 6, 2010, the special stamp "Liangping Woodblock New Year Prints" (catalog number 2010-4) 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 issued on the same day. The stamps were designed by Wang Huming and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

Liangping woodblock New Year prints originate from Liangping, Chongqing. They are a national intangible cultural heritage and a representative folk art of the Southwest region, ranking alongside Mianzhu and Jiajiang New Year prints as one of the three major woodblock New Year print traditions of the Southwest. The stamps feature four classic themes: door gods, myths and legends, auspicious folk customs, and traditional opera, faithfully reproducing the regional artistic characteristics of Liangping prints, including full compositions, exaggerated figures, and vivid, intense colors. This stamp set presents the woodblock printing art of Southwest China, preserves traditional New Year culture, and enriches the national woodblock New Year print stamp series.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Door Gods

Image: A Qing Dynasty woodblock image of a general door god, with the warrior in golden armor, presenting a robust and majestic appearance.
History: Door gods are the most classic category of Liangping prints. In ancient times, they were pasted on doors to ward off evil, protect the home, and ensure peace, serving as a core symbol of folk New Year customs.
Significance: A representative work of Liangping prints in the folk blessing category.

Stealing the Immortal Herb

Image: A scene from the Legend of the White Snake, depicting the character Bai Suzhen stealing the magical lingzhi herb.
History: The subject is based on the well-known folk legend of the White Snake, widely popular in Southwest China, and is a common mythological theme in New Year prints.
Significance: A classic example of mythological themes in Liangping woodblock prints.

Harmony Brings Good Fortune

Image: A round, festive child figure with intricate, ornate patterns.
History: The image of "Harmony" originates from traditional auspicious paintings, symbolizing harmony among neighbors and family prosperity, expressing the people's wish for a harmonious and fulfilling life.
Significance: A representative of auspicious-themed New Year prints.

Stealing the Pass to Leave the Pass

Image: A scene from a traditional opera story.
History: Based on classic Sichuan opera scenes, Liangping woodblock prints extensively incorporate Sichuan opera figures, forming a unique Southwest opera New Year print style.
Significance: A representative work of opera-themed Liangping prints.

Artistic and Design Features:

Format: Uniform vertical stamp format, faithfully reproducing the original woodblock print designs while preserving the rustic folk painting texture.
Color Reproduction: Accurately restores the high-saturation, intense colors characteristic of Liangping prints, highlighting the bold aesthetic of Southwest folk art.
Thematic Layout: Balanced selection of folk door gods, mythology, auspicious motifs, and opera stories, providing a comprehensive representation of Liangping's thematic system.
Series Integration: Part of China Post's woodblock New Year print series, forming a complete collection together with prints from Taohuawu, Yangjiabu, Mianzhu, and other traditions.

This stamp set is the concluding issue of the woodblock New Year print series, focusing on the intangible cultural heritage of Chongqing. It covers themes of folk art, traditional New Year customs, Southwest intangible cultural heritage, and opera culture. Available in multiple formats, it is an indispensable core item for thematic collections on folk intangible heritage, ancient prints, and woodblock New Year prints. As the closing set of the New Year print series, it holds special significance for series collectors.