Scott No: -
Serial number: 2013-11
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: May 11, 2013
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: Sheng Jiahong, Jiang Wei
Size of stamps: 33 * 33 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
8 for Sheet II
Size of sheet:
182 * 162 mm for Sheet I;
184 * 160 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On May 11, 2013, on the eve of Mother's Day (May 12), China Post issued the 2013-11 "Gratitude to Mother" special stamp. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan. This is the first official Mother's Day-themed stamp issued in China and stands out as a highly innovative and distinctive philatelic item of that year.

The introduction of this stamp was intended to resonate with the cultural significance of modern Mother's Day, to promote the traditional Chinese virtue of filial piety, and to use the stamp as a special medium for expressing gratitude to mothers. During its issuance, first-day ceremonies were held simultaneously in multiple cities across the country. The initiative was also linked to public welfare projects, donating related philatelic products to single mothers in difficult circumstances, combining the cultural value of the stamps with social responsibility and garnering widespread public attention.

The stamp's main design features a pink carnation, symbolizing maternal love, surrounded by a golden heart-shaped pattern, against a light yellow background, corresponding to the themes of motherly love and gratitude. This stamp set achieved three "firsts" in the history of China Post's commemorative and special stamps:

First time a nationwide public online solicitation was held for stamp messages; the four selected messages were: "Mom, I love you," "Wishing Mom eternal happiness," "Only Mom is the best in the world," and "Thank you, Mom, for raising me."

First time the "scratch to reveal" special technique was applied to stamps; by scratching off the coating on the golden ribbon at the bottom of the stamp, one of the four grateful messages is revealed, breaking the traditional limitation of stamps being merely for viewing.

First time a heart-shaped format was introduced; eight stamps are arranged in a V-shaped heart pattern on the miniature sheet, demonstrating a highly creative design.

The stamps were printed using offset printing combined with partial holographic hot stamping, along with a full range of anti-counterfeiting technologies, by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.