Scott No: -
Serial number: 2026-9
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: July 13th, 2026
Denomination: 510 fen
Designer: Bian Kai
Size of stamps: 40 * 54 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I;
8 for Sheet II (2 sets)
190 * 206 mm for Sheet I;
194 * 180 mm for Sheet II
Size of S/S: 110 * 110 mm
Size of S/S stamp: 84 * 72 mm
S/S Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post will issue a set of four special stamps and one souvenir sheet titled "Investiture of the Gods (II)" on July 13, 2026. The stamp designs are named: Huang Tianhua Eliminates Demons, Grand Preceptor Wen's Western Expedition, Gongming Fights Randeng, and Strategically Recruiting Deng Jiugong. The souvenir sheet is titled: Breaking the Yellow River Formation.

Investiture of the Gods is a classic masterpiece of ancient Chinese mythological fiction, generally believed to have been written during the Longqing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty. Set against the historical backdrop of the transition from the Shang to the Zhou Dynasty, the work weaves together mythology, folklore, and historical narrative, creating a vast and magnificent world of gods and heroes. It has given rise to beloved characters such as Jiang Ziya, Nezha, Yang Jian, Wen Zhong, and Zhao Gongming. For centuries, Investiture of the Gods has been widely disseminated through opera, storytelling, picture-story books, and film and television adaptations, building a deep foundation of popular appeal and carrying the Chinese people's fundamental concepts of good and evil, as well as their cultural imagination.

The first set of Investiture of the Gods stamps, issued in 2024, focused on the early key events of the story. This second set focuses on the pivotal chapters of the Western Qi campaign against King Zhou of Shang, showcasing classic episodes of celestial battles, military confrontations, and shifting allegiances, presenting the epic grandeur and rich character ensemble of the Investiture world.

The first stamp, "Huang Tianhua Eliminates Demons," depicts the classic scene of Huang Tianhua battling the Four Demon Generals, highlighting his heroic spirit as he descends from his master's mountain to aid the Zhou cause and turn the tide of crisis. Huang Tianhua is an important disciple of the Chan Sect and a young hero in the campaign to overthrow the Shang. His mount, the Jade Qilin, and his weapon, the Eight-Sided Plum Blossom Silver Hammer, are widely celebrated. The composition focuses on the direct confrontation between Huang Tianhua and the four demons, emphasizing the hero's valor and the tension of battle, conveying the themes of righteous struggle and loyal service to the nation. This stamp innovatively incorporates a hidden design: when viewed under specific lighting, the image of Yang Jian (Erlang Shen) is revealed, adding an interactive and exploratory dimension to the traditional stamp.

The second stamp, "Grand Preceptor Wen's Western Expedition," presents the grand scene of Grand Preceptor Wen leading his army on a western campaign. Wen Zhong is a senior minister of the Shang Dynasty and one of the most iconic loyal ministers in the Investiture of the Gods. Serving the Shang for decades with unwavering loyalty, he was deeply respected by the court and the people. Following the fall of the Four Demon Generals, Grand Preceptor Wen personally led a large army to attack Western Qi, thus beginning the decisive confrontation between the two sides. The composition, through the arrangement of military formations, banners, and figures, creates a tense atmosphere of impending battle, showcasing Wen Zhong's dedication to his state and setting the stage for the great conflicts to come.

The third stamp, "Gongming Fights Randeng," features a classic duel between two immortals. Zhao Gongming is a prominent figure of the Jie Sect and is revered in folk belief as the God of Wealth. Summoned by Grand Preceptor Wen to assist the Shang, he engaged in numerous magical duels with the immortals of the Chan Sect, among which his confrontation with the Daoist Randeng is particularly spectacular. Zhao Gongming and Randeng each display their extraordinary powers and deploy their magical treasures, creating one of the most representative scenes of gods and demons battling in the Investiture world. The composition highlights the exchange of magical arts and the celestial aura, showcasing the rich imagination and romantic spirit of traditional Chinese mythology.

The fourth stamp, "Strategically Recruiting Deng Jiugong," depicts a pivotal and transformative moment in the Investiture story. Deng Jiugong, originally a Shang general, was ultimately persuaded by Jiang Ziya's strategy and the changing circumstances to surrender his forces to the Zhou, adding significant strength to the Western Qi camp. Through the depiction of character interactions and the turning point of allegiance, the stamp conveys the theme that "one who follows the right path enjoys abundant support, while one who strays from it has little." The atmosphere of this stamp is more peaceful compared to the previous ones, creating a balanced narrative rhythm throughout the set.

The souvenir sheet, "Breaking the Yellow River Formation," depicts the story of the Three Xiao Sisters (Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao), who set up the Yellow River Formation to avenge Zhao Gongming. Using the Precious Golden Cudgel, they captured many immortals, rendering the formation unbreakable. Ultimately, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable and the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord personally intervened to break the formation. The Yellow River Formation is one of the most famous magical arrays in the Investiture of the Gods. The souvenir sheet brings together many key figures, depicting the grand spectacle of celestial combat and interwoven formations, fully embodying the unrestrained artistic imagination and epic quality of the novel. The design incorporates fluorescent printing to enhance the visual effects of magical power and uses shaped perforations to further strengthen the visual impact and collectible value.

The entire set is created in the traditional Chinese gongbi (meticulous brushwork) style with rich colors, inheriting the refined and meticulous artistic tradition of Song Dynasty painting. It combines layered color application and texturing techniques, with rigorous composition and elegant coloring. The design preserves the aesthetic essence of classical painting while incorporating modern visual expression, recreating the fantastic and heroic world of the Investiture of the Gods within the confined space of the stamps.

The stamps are designed with innovative techniques such as fluorescent ink and hidden images. The first stamp features a transforming hidden pattern that reveals the image of Erlang Shen under ultraviolet light. The other stamps use localized fluorescent effects to enhance the mystical atmosphere of the celestial battles. The souvenir sheet combines fluorescent printing with shaped perforations to further enrich the visual appreciation and collecting experience.