常122 十全十美郵票 / Def.122 Personal Greeting Stamps (Issue of 2004)

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常122 十全十美郵票 / Def.122 Personal Greeting Stamps (Issue of 2004)
Issued on: 10 Oct, 2004


All Taiwanese hope for good luck, and these ten postage stamps are each based on an expression of auspiciousness: “One Sea of Smooth Sailing,” “Two Lions Bring Good Fortune,” “Three ‘Suns’ (or Goats, its Chinese Homophone) of Auspiciousness,” “Safety in All Four Seasons,” “Five Blessings at the Door,” “Six is Silky Smooth,” “Married for Seven Lives,” “Eight Immortals Wish for Your Longevity,” “Nine Means Success,” and “Ten is All-Around Perfection.” With these commonly used auspicious expressions and matching novel designs, these stamps are great for sending greetings to friends or family members before they go on a long trips; to elders so as to convey wishes for their longevity; to someone when they have a new baby, get admitted to new school or get hired for a new job; to someone who passes an entrance exam, gets married or promoted; or even for just ordinary correspondence.


為積極推展個人化郵票，續以1到10的吉祥語彙，以篆章印記搭配具象實物如帆船、吉祥動、植物，從獅、龍、蝙蝠、到瓜、果、花卉及人偶、八仙彩、食材等，發行「十全十美郵票」，面值分別為3.5元、5元各10枚。
個人化郵票已先後推出祝福郵票、結緣郵票及好言好語郵票，此種為顧客量身訂作的郵票，可作郵資使用，亦可自行珍藏，或選擇適當的祝福語及圖案寄送親友，適時表達個人溫馨的關懷，也彰顯郵票圖案與自己照片結合的個人品味。
祈 祥納福是國人的共同願望，十全十美郵票選取民間常見的吉祥話語：一帆風順、雙獅獻瑞、三陽開泰、四季平安、五福臨門、六六大順、七世姻緣、八仙仰壽、九轉 成功、十全十美等為主題，加上新穎的圖案，無論是親友遠行，長輩祝壽、添丁生子、就學就業、金榜題名、結婚、升官或一般書信往來，都可透過適當主題留下美 好的回憶。

Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

常120 結緣郵票(91年版) / Def 120 Personal Greeting Stamps(Issue of 2002)

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常120 結緣郵票(91年版) / Def 120 Personal Greeting Stamps(Issue of 2002)
Issued on: 22 Nov, 2002

The 10 stamps represent 10 auspicious words in Chinese. They mean many happy returns of the day, have a nice day, incur the wealth and gather the money, happiness comes generously to you, flowers in full bloom symbolize affluence and nobility, conclude the predestined match, promoting to a higher position, abundance throughout the year, the gold and jade full of the house, etc.

首套個人化郵票—祝福郵票推出之後甚受集郵公眾歡迎。為便利公眾運用及業務需要， 本局續以中國結為圖案主題，印製第2套個人化郵票，訂名「結緣郵票」。郵票面值分別為 3元5角、5元及25元，以變更底色區分。

結繩紀事，是先民偉大的智慧發明，中國結運用多元結式呈現雍容典雅、變化萬千，更傳達出人我間難能可貴的緣份。結緣郵票以10種不同形式的中國結分別表示中華民族特有之吉利口采：萬壽長春、四季如意、招財進寶、吉祥納福、花開富貴、締結良緣、步步高昇、 吉慶有餘、金玉滿堂、福增貴子等，當親友間有喜慶，將問候與祝福透過「結緣郵票（個人化郵票）」之傳遞，使寄件者與收件者之緣份更緊密的結合在一起。

Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

特486 兒童畫郵票(95年版) / Sp.486 Children’s Drawings Postage Stamps (Issue of 2006)

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特486 兒童畫郵票(95年版) / Sp.486 Children’s Drawings
Issued on: 4 Apr, 2006

So as to encourage youths to engage in positive leisure activities that lead to healthy bodies and minds, raise the quality of life, encourage artistic creation, cultivate aesthetic sensibility among ROC children, and promote the development of art education, Chunghwa Post sponsored a national children’s drawing and stamp design competition during April and May 2005. The winning entries will be the subjects of postage stamps. The competition included four age groups: kindergarten, lower elementary, middle elementary and upper elementary. There were 22,000 entries in total. ROC professional artists were invited to be the judges and to select five gold medal works from each age group. The twenty winners were Chen Jou-han, Chou Tzu-hsuan, Chung Kuo-shuang, Chiu Chun-ying, Hsu Cheng-yu, Liao Pei-chi, Tung Yu-ting, Yang Shuang-wei, Chen Shih-yen, Hung Hao-wei, Yeh Hai-yin, Ko Hao-jen, Shuai Chien-an, Li Pei-ying, Chiu Yu-hsiu, Lu Pei-yu, Liu Yu-han, Chen Min-chi, Hung Wei-tzu and Tu Ya-chu. Using the winning artworks of these 20 children, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of 20 postage stamps in se-tenant format. All of these stamps will have denominations of NT$5.00.


為提倡青少年正當休閒活動，陶冶身心，提昇生活品質，鼓勵美術創作，培養國內兒童美學素養及美育發展，本公司於94年4、5月間舉辦全國兒童創意寫生暨郵 票圖案繪畫比賽，甄選兒童畫作為郵票圖案。是項比賽分為幼稚園、國小低年級、國小中年級及國小高年級共4組，參賽作品計達22,000件，經邀請國內美術 專業人士擔任評審，每組各選出金牌獎作品5幅，共計20幅，得獎者姓名依組別順序分別為陳柔含、周子琁、鍾國双、邱俊穎、徐承裕、廖珮琪、董鈺婷、楊雙瑋、陳詩諺、洪浩維、葉海音、柯皓仁、帥見侒、李佩穎、邱郁琇、盧佩渝、劉玉涵、陳旻琪、洪維紫、杜雅筑。經以上述榮獲金牌獎之20幅作品作為郵票圖案，以20枚連刷方式印製郵票1組，面值均為5元。

Refernce:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

特483 臺灣茶藝郵票 / Sp. 483 Taiwan Tea Ceremony Postage Stamps

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特483 臺灣茶藝郵票 / Sp. 483 Taiwan Tea Ceremony Postage Stamps
Issued on: 26 Jan, 2006

Taiwan’s warm and humid climate makes it highly suitable for growing world-famous top-quality teas, such as Oolong and Baojhong. Drinking tea is different from drinking other common beverages. The people of Taiwan consider the drinking of tea a “lifestyle art.” It is regarded as a refined leisure activity, good for the body and mind, and promoting friendships and social life. The tea ceremony now popular in Taiwan emphasizes an appreciation of tea’s colors, smells and tastes as well as the brewing techniques that perfect them. These techniques involve the choice of tea sets and other utensils to make tea, the control of water temperature, the amount of tea leaves used and the time used for brewing. These skills require much study and practice, as well as familiarity with the different brewing methods used for different kinds of tea. With these, the pleasure from drinking tea is raised to a new level.

Today, when the art of drinking tea is widely celebrated, this set of five “Taiwan Tea Ceremony Postage Stamps” features the five steps in the traditional gongfu tea ceremony: preparing the tea set and warming the pot, placing the tea leaves in the pot and rinsing them, pouring hot water over the pot and warming the cups, drying the outside of the pot and pouring the tea, and smelling and drinking the brewed tea. Each of these stamps has denomination of NT$5.00.


台灣氣候潤濕暖和，生產各種品質優異的茶葉，如烏龍茶、包種茶等馳名世界。茶與一般飲料不同，國人常以「生活藝術」來飲茶，是一種高雅的休閒活動，具有健康身體、修心養性、增進社交友誼的作用。現在台灣社會流行的「茶藝」，在享受茶的色、香、味，講究沖泡技巧，使茶香、茶味和湯色都能盡善盡美，這些沖泡技巧包括泡茶器具的選用、水溫的控制、茶葉用量和沖泡時間的調配等，都必須是愛茶人士揣摩演練，並熟悉不同茶葉的沖泡技巧後才能享受真正的品茗樂趣。
在飲茶藝術被大力推廣的今天，本組「臺灣茶藝郵票」以古傳統中最具風味的「功夫泡茶法」為主題，依據泡茶之順序「備具 溫壺」、「置茶 溫潤」、「沖壺 溫杯」、「乾壺 分茶」、「聞香 品茗」製作郵票1組5枚，面值均為5元。

Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

常125 旅行郵票 / Def.125 Personal Greeting Stamps - Travel

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常125 旅行郵票 / Def.125 Personal Greeting Stamps - Travel
Issued on: 30 Jun, 2006

I guess they are Taroko, the canoe of Tao, Danchuei Fishermen's Whart, Liuchiu Islet, and Alishan Forest Railway.




Personal greeting stamps are customized postage stamps with their own themes. Besides serving as postage, these stamps also make wonderful gifts or keepsakes. So as to provide its customers with more design options, Chunghwa Post is issuing yet another set of personal greeting stamps centered on travel. Customers may now share the sweetest moments of their trips with family members and friends by sending items of mail affixed with a combination of a favorite trip photo and a travel stamp. Five of the stamps will have denominations of NT$3.50 and the other five denominations of NT$5.00.

As lifestyles have changed, travel has become a popular leisure activity. Apart from broadening one's horizons, travel helps people to release pressure and recharge their batteries. As transportation has become convenient and fast, the world truly has become a global village, enabling people to take on a more wide-ranging perspective. This set of stamps features beautiful scenic spots in Taiwan. Themes include "Captivating and Moving," "Capturing Taiwan's Beauty," "Writing Down Unforgettable Memories," "Enjoying Carefree Moods" and "Looking Forward to the Next Trip." Via paper, pen and camera, one is able to record what one sees and feels on a trip, creating beautiful memories for life.

The non-personalized travel stamps available at post office branches will be printed in a format of 20 stamps per sheet. The personalized ones, to meet customers' individual needs, will be printed in a format of ten NT$3.50 stamps or ten NT$5.00 stamps per sheet (A4), both featuring two each of all five designs. For the background color, customers can choose between white and off-white. The name for each stamp is printed in the upper left corner. The stamps will be printed in two rows, on the far left and far right. The tabs in between and the empty space around the stamps will be left for customers' own designs.


個人化郵票係為顧客量身訂製具有專屬主題之郵票，除了可當作郵資使用，更廣泛作為個人珍藏及致贈親友之紀念性票品。中華郵政公司為提供顧客更多元的個人化郵票樣式，續以旅遊休閒為主題規劃「旅行郵票」，俾供顧客選取旅遊最具紀念性的照片結合郵票圖案，製作嶄新的個人化郵票寄送親友，分享旅遊甜美回憶，面值分別為新台幣3.5元及5元各5枚。

由於生活型態的改變，「旅行」已成為普及化的休閒活動，不但能夠增廣見聞，更能紓解壓力，找尋生命新動力；尤其便捷的交通，世界地球村空間因此大幅縮短，使得人們的視野無限延伸。本組郵票圖案選取台灣秀麗的景點為背景，以「裝滿美好感動」、「拍下臺灣美景」、「寫下難忘回憶」、「享受自由心情」、「期待再次出發」為主題，透過相機與紙筆記錄旅途之見聞與感觸，鋪陳人生美好的回憶。

本組郵票規劃全張20枚印製供各局窗口出售；另套印個人化郵票部分，為滿足顧客設計版面需求，3.5元及5元面值，均以上述5種主題各2枚合印1全張(A4），有白底及淡米黃底2種款式供顧客選用；版面設計上，將郵票名稱置於左上角，郵票分列左右2邊，中間附籤票及周邊留白處供顧客設計使用。

References:

Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

特524 臺灣原住民文化郵票（續）/ Sp.524 Taiwan’s Aboriginal Culture Postage Stamps（Continued）

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特524 臺灣原住民文化郵票（續）/ Sp.524 Taiwan’s Aboriginal Culture Postage Stamps（Continued）
Issued on: 1 Aug, 2008

Having issued “Taiwan’s Aboriginal Culture” (which featured the festivals of nine different tribes on April 22, 1999), this Post is following up with another set that showcases unique traditional tribal objects, including a Paiwan earthenware pot, an Ami lover’s bag, a Rukai men’s headdress, and a Bunun men’s neck ornament. The Post has asked Sun Ta-chuan, professor of the Graduate Institute of Taiwan Literature of National Chengchi University and former vice-chairman of the Executive Yuan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples, to be the planning consultant. These stamps will be released on August 1, 2008. The designs follow:

1. Paiwan Earthenware Pot (NT$5.00): Paiwan society has a strictly delineated structure, and the quality and number of earthenware pots owned by a noble family demonstrate the family’s social status and influence. This stamp features a pot with male and female patterns. A hermaphroditic pot is considered the noblest of all earthenware pots and is usually placed in the most sacred spot in a home. It must be carried with both hands, and grabbing its mouth is considered taboo.

2. Ami Lover’s Bag (NT$12.00): This is a common accessory of the Ami, and bags of this kind are also called betel nut bags or messenger bags. Women usually make them for their children or lovers. Today, they have become bound up with Ami cultural identity and are regarded as necessary accessories for all members of the tribe during harvest ceremonies and other important activities. The correct way to carry the bag is across the body, with the strap on the left shoulder and the bag on the right hip.

3. Rukai Men’s Headdress (NT$12.00): The headdresses of Rukai are richly varied and representative of the tribe. Accents made from different materials connote different meanings and social statuses. A lily blossom, symbolic of chaste women and heroic hunters, is the most respected accent of all. A feather on a headdress denotes high social status; a person can only wear such a headdress openly after receiving commensurate formal recognition from the tribe.

4. Bunun Men’s Neck Ornament (NT$25.00): Bunun men wear two kinds of neck ornaments: chokers and necklaces. The stamp features a choker. Chokers were made of square shells or a combination of square shells, shell beads and beads. Chokers have ties at the back. The most common figure used in Bunun neck ornaments is the hundred-pace snake, woven in diamond, triangle, strip, or checker patterns.


繼民國88年4月22日前郵政總局以各族的祭典為主題，發行「臺灣原住民文化郵票」後，本公司續以原住民族具特色的傳統器物—排灣族陶壺、阿美族情人袋、魯凱族男子頭飾及布農族男子頸飾為主題，發行「臺灣原住民文化郵票(續)」1組4枚。本組郵票規劃諮詢顧問為前行政院原住民委員會副主委、國立政治大學臺灣文學研究所孫大川教授，預定於97年8月1日發行。茲將本組郵票圖案簡介如下：

一、排灣族 陶壺（面值5元）：在排灣族嚴密的階級社會，擁有陶壺的等級高低和數量多寡，顯示貴族的地位和勢力。本枚郵票圖案為陰陽壺，兼具母壺與公壺紋飾，是陶壺中最尊貴者，平時擺放在家中最神聖地方，必要拿取陶壺時，須以雙手捧持，切忌直接抓取壺口。

二、阿美族 情人袋（面值12元）：情人袋在阿美族的社會，非常普遍，或稱攜物袋、檳榔袋、佩袋，一般皆由女子製作，送給子女或情人，現在演變成參加豐年祭或重要活動時，必須佩戴的配件，並成為阿美族集體認同的重要標誌。背情人袋的正確方式是由左往右下斜背。

三、魯凱族 男子頭飾（面值12元）：魯凱族的頭飾富變化性與代表性，因材料不同，而有不同的意義與限制，其中以百合花飾最為神聖，百合花不僅代表婦女的貞潔，也是魯凱族狩獵英雄的象徵。插在頭冠的羽毛象徵崇高的社會地位，須經族人認同功勳後，才能公開佩戴。

四、布農族 男子頸飾（面值25元）：布農族男子頸飾有兩種形式：一種稱「頸帶」，另一種為「頸鍊」，本枚郵票圖案為頸帶，以方貝串連，或方貝、貝珠與燒珠等穿綴而成，從頸前緊繫至頸後。紋飾圖案以百步蛇圖案最為普遍，織成菱形紋、三角紋、條紋或方格紋。

I didn't buy the last one. If you want to see it, just click the title or here.


References:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

特440地方戲曲郵票—歌仔戲(遊戲)（91年版) / Regional Opera Series-Taiwanese Opera (Games) Postage Stamps

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特440地方戲曲郵票—歌仔戲(遊戲)（91年版) / Regional Opera Series-Taiwanese Opera (Games) Postage Stamps
Issued on: 25 Oct, 2002

To enhance our fellow countrymen's understanding of Taiwanese opera and to celebrate Taiwanese culture, the Directorate General of Posts is once again releasing a set of four stamps on the theme of Taiwanese Opera. Each of the stamps features a famous repertoire in one type of performance locale. The designs of the four stamps follow:

1. Liang Shan-po and Chu Ying-tai Street Performance:
At the very beginnings of the development of the Taiwanese opera, people, when they were not busy with farm work, would often recite and sing to entertain themselves. At first, there were only male performers wearing everyday clothes. Later, they added some theatrical movements and started putting on some simple make-up, and the females started to perform too. Liang Shan-po and Cliu Ying-tai was one of the most popular repertoires in those days.

2. Hsuech Ting-shan and Fan Li-hua-indoor Performance:
From the end of World War II, when the Japanese left Taiwan, to the early sixties, indoor performance was the most popular form of entertainment. In those days, the dozen or so theaters that regularly put on Taiwanese operas could all accommodate six to eight hundred people. Hsueh Ting-shan and Fan Li-hua is a love story with martial arts movements and fancy special effects, and so was very popular at that time.

3. Hsueh Ping-kuei and Wang Pao-chuan-Outdoor Stage Performance:
From the late sixties through the seventies, with the rise of movies and televisions, Taiwanese operas were forced outdoors. At first, due to its strong local flavor, it was still popular. Later, price wars drove down the quality of performances, and Taiwanese opera started to fade from view. The story of Hsueh Ping-kuei and Wang Pao-chuan, where Wang waits in her cave dwelling for Hsueh to return for 18 years, was sort of like the situation of Taiwanese opera at that time.

4. The Living Buddha Chikung-Modern Theater:
In 1983, a Taiwanese opera company performed at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Their combination of traditional drama and modern theater got an enthusiastic response. Excellent Taiwanese opera companies started to sprout up one after another. The Living Buddha Chikung combined modern theater, sound and light effects, movie production methods, and ample body movements (including flying stunts with actors attached to cables). These turned a love story into a touching, interesting and festive drama.


為增進國人對歌仔戲之認識，發揚本土文化，本局續以膾炙人口的戲碼為主題，以 不同的演出型態貫穿，印製「地方戲曲郵票—歌仔戲（遊戲）」1組4枚。

茲將郵票圖案簡介如下：

(1)梁山伯與祝英台—落地掃：歌仔戲發展之初，農閒時人們經常以簡單樂器伴奏，說說唱唱 自娛娛人，初期以男性演員為主，穿著一般服飾，後來才簡單化妝，加入一些身段，並有女 性扮演。「梁山伯與祝英台」為當時最受歡迎的戲碼之一。

(2) 薛丁山與樊梨花—內台戲：光復之後，到50年代初期，內台戲是最受喜愛的娛樂活動， 當時台北市經常演出歌仔戲的十餘家戲院，均可容納600至800人。 西洋風流行時，台上並有 穿著花俏演奏西洋音樂。「薛丁山與樊梨花」集男女情愛、武打動作、排山倒海等聲光效果 於一身，當時非常受歡迎。

(3)薛平貴與王寶釧—外台戲：50年代末期到60年代，由於電影、電視興起，歌仔戲被迫 走出戶外搭起野台演出。初期因草根性仍受歡迎，其後因銷價競爭而影響品質，開始沒落。 「薛平貴與王寶釧」戲碼中，王寶釧苦守寒窯18年的故事，頗能形容歌仔戲當時的情境。

(4) 濟公活佛—現代劇場：民國72年，歌仔戲進入國父紀念館演出，傳統戲劇與現代劇場 的結合，引起熱烈迴響，優秀的歌仔戲團也相繼嶄露頭角。「濟公活佛」這 部舞台歌仔戲， 結合現代戲劇、聲光、電影製作手法、空中飛人特效和豐富的肢體動作，將一個愛情故事發 展成一個既感人又有趣、熱鬧的戲劇。


There are 4 stamps as a set. But I only bought this one. I can't find the other stamps of this set. If you want to see the other 3 stamps, just click here.


References:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

紀307 2007解嚴20週年紀念郵票 / Com.307 2007 20th Anniversary of the Lifting of Martial Law Commemorative Issue

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紀307 2007解嚴20週年紀念郵票 / Com.307 2007 20th Anniversary of the Lifting of Martial Law Commemorative Issue
Issued on: 15 Jul, 2007

On May 19, 1949, Chen Cheng, the Taiwan provincial governor and director general of Taiwan Garrison Command, declared martial law, which went into effect the next day. Martial law infringed upon human rights and impeded the development of constitutional democracy. In step with Taiwan’s economic and social development and growing understanding about human rights, and in order to promote democratic constitutional reform, on July 14, 1987, the late president Chiang Ching-kuo gave an order to end the state of martial law, which went into effect the next day. The formal lifting of martial law also represented a step forward in Taiwan’s evolution toward democracy. 2007 is the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law. To commemorate this event, this post is issuing a commemorative stamp featuring the lifting of restrictions on newspapers, political parties and freedom of speech. The stamp will have a denomination of NT$12.


民國38年5月19日臺灣省政府主席兼臺灣省警備總司令陳誠先生頒布戒嚴令，公告臺灣自38年5月20日零時起實施戒嚴，臺灣從此進入戒嚴時期。戒嚴限制 了憲法賦予人民的權益，影響民主憲政的發展。隨著社會經濟發展的演變，人權法治思想的普及，為推動民主憲政改革，蔣故總統經國先生於民國76年7月14日 明令宣布，自76年7月15日零時起解嚴，正式解除長達30餘年的戒嚴，也為臺灣民主改革踏出歷史性的一步。本（96）年適逢解嚴20週年，本公司配合規 劃以解嚴後開放報禁、黨禁及言論自由為主題，發行「2007解嚴20週年紀念郵票」1枚，面值新台幣12元，以資紀念。


References:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

特461_3 臺灣民間藝陣郵票 / Sp.461_3 Yijhen: Taiwanese Folk Art Performance Postage Stamps

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特461_3 臺灣民間藝陣郵票 / Sp.461_3 Yijhen: Taiwanese Folk Art Performance Postage Stamps
Issued on: 11 May, 2004

A staple of temple fairs and religious festivals, yijhen, a general category of various traditional Taiwanese folk art performances, is gradually fading from view due to the industrialization and modernization of society. Yet the sight of yijhen never fails to evoke warm memories of childhood. In order to give ROC nationals a deeper understanding about the island of Taiwan, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps entitled “Yijhen: Taiwanese Folk Art Performance.”

In traditional Taiwanese society yijhen folk art performance played an important role in the cultural life of the common people. In the agricultural society of yesteryear, it was used in rituals to express people’s gratitude to the gods during temple fairs and religious processions and was also used as entertainment for the common folk. During the Ming and the Ching Dynasties, the early Han Chinese settlers brought yijhen with them

when they made the journey from mainland China across the strait to Taiwan. In the 400 years since, yijhen has developed into something that has both preserved its traditional Chinese spirit and yet also taken on the flavor of its locale. During the period of early settlement, Taiwan was a dangerous place, and some yijhen troupes had become self-defense organizations for their locales. The prevalence of religious activities fueled the development of folk dramas and yijhen. Apart from being entertaining, yijhen also functioned as a tool of education and as a defense mechanism that fostered solidarity among the people. Traditionally, a procession is held symbolizing a god or gods making an inspection tour of his or her territory on the eve of the god’s birthday or an important temple ceremony. During this kind of procession, local temples and businesses invite yijhen folk art performance troupes to join the parade. Most of these yijhen performers are amateurs and composed of people from the local communities.

(3) The Drum Dance: the “Drum Dance” is the most energetic and rhythmic of all Taiwanese folk art performances. All about drumming and jumping, it is also called the Drum Flower Dance, Big Drum Flower or Playing the Big Drum. A troupe is normally composed of eight people, although there are also larger troupes of several dozen people. The performance is divided into the flags, the drums, the parasols and the gongs. It is mostly performed in a square-like formation, with the drums in the middle, the parasols in the front and back, and the gongs at the four corners. Movements are rhythmic and exacting. These are popular performances during temple fairs.


藝陣是民間廟會喜慶不可或缺的民俗表演藝術，在工業社會的衝擊下，儘管它已逐漸從人們的生活中褪色，但任何時候看到這項傳統民俗，都能令人勾起親切的童年記憶。為了讓在地人對在地生活有更深一層的體認，本公司特印製「臺灣民間藝陣郵票」1組4枚。
臺灣的傳統藝陣，在常民的文化生活裡，扮演著一個重要角色，在舊時農業社會裡，它是迎神賽會酬謝神明恩典的儀禮，多采多姿的表演是常民大眾的主要娛樂。明 清之際，先民渡海來臺，也將民間藝陣同時傳遞來台灣，歷經4百年的衍演發展，各種藝陣不只保存傳統民族文化的精神，也呈現著本土的風貌。臺灣在移民初期治 安不良，有些藝陣就成為地方自衛組茲將本組郵票圖案簡介如下：

(3)跳鼓陣：跳鼓陣是臺灣民間最具活力與動感的陣頭，以擊鼓及跳躍為表演內容，又稱鼓花陣、大鼓花、大鼓弄等。成員一般以8人為基準，也有數十人的大隊 伍。分為頭旗、大鼓、涼傘、銅鑼等，表演時多作方形陣，大鼓居中，涼傘在前後，銅鑼分四角，表演俐落活潑，充滿節奏感，是廟會裡很受歡迎的陣頭。

There are 4 stamps as a set. But I only bought this one. I can't find the other stamps of this set. If you want to see the other 3 stamps, just click here. The following is the description of the 3 stamps.


(1) The Eight Generals: the “Eight Generals” can actually be performed by four, six, eight or more than ten persons. An eight-person troupe is the most common—hence the name. The “Eight Generals” is a solemn and mysterious troupe, employing the Four Gate, Seven Star or Eight Trigram battle arrays to capture goblins and monsters, so as to protect the people and keep the area safe.

(2) The Song Jiang Battle Array: the “Song Jiang Battle Array” is the largest and most impressive religious martial art troupe in Taiwan and it is very popular in Southern Taiwan. It is typically composed of 36 members, but some have 42, 56 or 72 members. In recent years, the Tourism Bureau has especially designated the “Song Jiang Battle Array” performed by troupes from Neimen Rural Township, Kaohsiung County as a unique local travel attraction. And troupes from Neimen have represented Taiwan several times in performance art exchanges in mainland China.

(4) Stilt Walking: also called stilt stepping, stilt walking takes real skill and a lot of practice. It is generally divided into the categories of theatrical stilt walking, which emphasizes singing and facial expressions, and martial arts stilt walking, which features all sorts of stunts and martial art movements. Most of these stilts are under three feet high, and these are called short stilts. Stilts over three feet high are called tall stilts.


(1)八家將：八家將只是一種泛稱，實際上成員有4人、6人、8人，也有10人以上的陣，最常見的是8人陣，故名之。八家將是一種嚴肅、神秘的陣頭，於神明出巡時，協助緝拿妖魔鬼怪，以四門陣、七星步、八卦陣等陣法攻擊和圍捕，使鬼魂無所遁形，以求安民保境。

(2)宋江陣：宋江陣是臺灣最大且最具聲勢的宗教性武術陣頭，流行於南部地區。最普遍的是36人陣，也有42人陣或56人陣，最多有72人陣。近幾年來，觀光局特別將內門宋江陣定為地方特色旅遊，數度代表臺灣至中國大陸參加交流表演。

(4)高蹺陣：高蹺陣又稱踏蹺陣，是一種講求功夫的陣頭，必須經過長時間的練習。大致可分為著重唱功表情的文高蹺和以特技打拳為主的武高蹺2種。一般所見的高蹺，多在3尺以下，稱為短高蹺，高達3尺以上者，則稱之為長高蹺。

References:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

紀309 世界童軍百週年紀念郵票 / Com. 309 Centenary of World Scouting Commemorative Issue

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紀309 世界童軍百週年紀念郵票 / Com. 309　Centenary of World Scouting Commemorative Issue
Issued on: 28 Nov, 2007

The Scout Movement started in 1907, so 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of world scouting. To celebrate a new century of scouting, Taiwan Post is specially issuing a “Centenary of World Scouting Commemorative Issue” stamp with a denomination of NT$12.00. The design of this stamp conforms to the spirit of the centenary of scouting, which has a focus on the concepts of promise and world peace. The stamp features a dove, which is a symbol of passion, freedom and peace. Scout rope is used to write out “100” and to encircle the emblems of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and the Scouts of R.O.C., symbolizing that Taiwan is marching forward in step with the world. The blue and green colors of the stamp convey the environmental spirit of the scouts, showing how scouts coexist with nature and conveying a new image of scouting for the new century. To add to the fun and the stamp’s value as a collector’s item, it will be printed in the shape of a rhombus.


世界童軍運動始於1907年，2007年適逢百週年，本公司為紀念童軍新世紀的到來，特規劃發行「世界童軍百週年紀念郵票」1枚，面值為新台幣12元。本 組郵票圖案設計係遵循世界童軍百週年紀念活動的精神，以同心許諾、世界大同的概念出發；主視覺和平鴿，展現出熱情自由及愛好和平的意象。童軍繩圍成100 週年字樣，並圈起世界童軍組織與我國童軍的標誌，象徵臺灣與世界同步的緊密連結。圖案色彩採天然的藍、綠色系，傳達童軍的環保精神，更彰顯童軍與大自然共 存的生態情懷，傳達出童軍百週年的新形象。為增添郵票的收藏價值及趣味性，本組郵票特別設計為正菱形。


Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

特532 古物郵票（98年版）/ Sp. 532 Ancient Chinese Art Treasures Postage Stamps (Issue of 2009)

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特532 古物郵票（98年版）/ Sp. 532 Ancient Chinese Art Treasures Postage Stamps (Issue of 2009)
Issued on: 20 Jul, 2009

To spread understanding about the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on ancient articrafts from the National Palace Museum collection. Two of the stamps have denominations of NT$5.00, and two denominations of NT$12.00. The souvenir sheet consists of the 4 above-mentioned stamps. The designs follow:

1. A Pair of Gold Gourds, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century (NT$5.00): The surface of these gold bottle gourds features a lacy design of intertwining flowers, leaves and tiny bottle gourds. There are three leaves sticking out from the stem of each gourd. These gourds have two detachable parts. The upper parts fit over lips at the tops of the lower sections. In Chinese, larger fruits produced by vines are called gua, whereas smaller fruits of vines are called die. Because the bottle gourd continually fruits and flowers, it is associated with the Chinese expression “mian mian gua die,” which is used to describe a family with abundant descendants.

2. Gold Bowl Used Personally by the Qianlong Emperor, Qing Dynasty (1736-1795) (NT$5.00): The interior of the bowl is smooth and unadorned, while the exterior is densely embellished with small millet-shaped beads set into a pattern of pomegranates, flowers, and leaves. The result is dazzling and exuberant. On the bottom, inside the ring foot, there are four traced-standard-script characters carved in intaglio: Qianlong Yuyong (“for the personal use of Emperor Qianlong”).

3. Mughal Empire Large Round Urn with Inlay Ca. 17th-18th Century (NT$12.00): The body of the urn is covered with hexagonal plates of bluish white jade. Metal wire inlay may have been present originally between the jade pieces although no trace remains. The jade pieces are inlaid with rubies, emeralds, topazes and brown gemstones set in gold wire.

4. Gilt Ewer with Cloud and Dragon Decor, Qing Dynasty (NT$12.00): This pot, in the shape of a bottle gourd, has a long spout and a long handle, to which the lid is chained. Four seal script characters—wan shou wu jiang (“may you live forever”)—and dragons are carved in relief on the belly of the gourd. The Chinese words for bottle gourd (hulu) sound similar to the words for good fortune and prosperity (fu lu). Consequently, a gourd bearing the four characters described above conveys the idea of “good fortune, prosperity and longevity” (“fu lu shou”), three words that are commonly regarded as life’s greatest blessings in Chinese culture. This was an imperial wine vessel used by Qing Dynasty emperors.


為闡揚我國歷代文物之美，特以國立故宮博物院庋藏之文物為主題，發行「古物郵票（98年版）」1組4枚及小全張1張；郵票面值為新臺幣5元及12元各2枚，小全張為新台幣34元。茲簡介本組郵票圖案如下：

一、清 十八世紀 子孫萬代金葫蘆一對（面值5元）：器身葫蘆形，器壁鏤雕纏繞的花葉及小葫蘆。上端瓜蒂旁立雕捲藤及小葉3片，器身中腰處似子母口般上下套接。大者稱瓜，小者為瓞，葫蘆瓜蔓末端不斷開花結實。以「綿綿瓜瓞」比喻子孫繁盛、傳世萬代。

二、清 乾隆御用金碗(面值5元)：金碗內壁光素，外壁石榴、花、葉紋飾之間，滿布繁密之粟形小粒金珠，炫目華麗。碗底圈足內陰刻雙鉤楷書款：「乾隆御用」四字。

三、蒙兀兒帝國 十七至十八世紀 帶鑲嵌圓腹大罐(面值12元)：器腹上貼有六角形青白玉片，每片之間可能原嵌有金屬絲，目前均已脫落。白玉片上以金絲鑲嵌紅、綠、黃、褐等各色寶石。

四、清 鍍金雲龍紋萬壽無疆蒲蘆式壺（面值12元）：蒲蘆是葫蘆的別稱，此壺器身作葫蘆形，有長流及把柄，以鍊與蓋頂相連。壺腹上錘鏨陽文篆書「萬」、「壽」、「無」、「疆」以及雲龍紋飾，結合葫蘆造形，寓意「福祿壽」，為清代皇帝御用酒器。


Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

特489 臺灣珊瑚礁魚類郵票(95年版) / Sp. 489 Taiwan Coral-Reef Fish Postage Stamps (Issue of 2006)

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Issued on: 14 Jul, 2006

To acquaint ROC citizens with the island's abundant marine life and to draw attention to its coral reefs, Chunghwa Post is issuing another set of four postage stamps on "Taiwan Coral-Reef Fish," featuring the Clown anemonefish, Moorish idol, Yellowtail coris and Longnose hawkfish. The stamps have been planned by Dr. Kwang-tsao Shao of the Academia Sinica and created by marine biology painter Jheng Yi-lang. Two stamps will have denominations of NT$5, and the other two will have denominations of NT$12.

The designs of the stamps follow:

(1) Amphiprion ocellaris (NT$5): It is commonly known as the Clown anemonefish, because the white markings on its orange body make it look like an adorable clown. It is a very popular saltwater aquarium fish.

(2) Zanclus cornutus (NT$5): Commonly known as the Moorish idol, it is a typical coral reef fish. Its brilliant coloring is similar to that of the longfin bannerfish of the Chaetodontidae (butterflyfish) family, but its body is similar to that of the freshwater angelfish. Its body is covered with black and white stripes, with three broad black bars around the eyes, the pectoral fin and the caudal peduncle. It looks very elegant when it swims and sells well in pet stores that stock tropical fish.

(3) Coris gaimard (NT$12): It is commonly known as the Yellowtail coris. The juvenile of this species has orange or bright red coloration, with five distinctive white saddles rimmed in black along its top from snout to tail. It is nicknamed "red dragon" and is a hot seller in pet stores in Taiwan that stock tropical fish. After it grows to four to five centimeters long, its white saddles gradually fade and its body turns from orange-red to olive and becomes bluer near its tail, where its caudal fin turns bright yellow.

(4) Oxycirrhites typus (NT$12): Commonly known as the Longnose hawkfish, it looks distinctly different from other Cirrhitidae. Its habits are quite different too. It lives only in sea fans of deeper water coral reefs. Its body is bright red and easily camouflaged by the red sea fans. Because of its slender snout and its bright red grid-like coloration, it is also called the "pointy snout grid fish" in Chinese.


為使國人了解臺灣豐富多樣的海洋生物，並關心珊瑚礁環境，本公司續以中央研究院邵廣昭博士規劃之「眼斑海葵魚」、「角鐮魚」、「蓋馬氏盔魚」、「尖吻魚翁」為主題，發行臺灣珊瑚礁魚類郵票（95年版）1組4枚，面值分別為新台幣5元及12元各2枚。
　　
茲將郵票圖案簡介如下：

（1）眼斑海葵魚（面值5元）：俗稱小丑魚，橙紅體色上的白斑圖案有如小丑裝扮，令人憐愛，是海水觀賞魚類中頗受歡迎的魚種。

（2）角鐮魚（面值5元）：常見的典型珊瑚礁魚，炫麗的體色和蝴蝶魚科之白吻雙帶立旗鯛很像，又稱「角蝶魚」；體型又像淡水觀賞魚之「神仙魚」。體色黑白相間，眼部及胸鰭基部及尾柄部前方各有一條很寬的黑色橫帶。泳姿高雅，頗受水族業者歡迎。

（3）蓋馬氏盔魚（面值12元）：幼魚體色橙紅或鮮紅，背上從吻端到尾柄有5塊鑲黑邊的白色鞍狀斑塊，非常顯眼，又稱「紅龍」，相當受水族業的歡迎；成長到4－5公分後，白斑逐漸黯淡消失，體色由橙紅轉為棕欖綠，愈往尾部愈呈藍色，尾鰭也變成鮮黃色。

（4）尖吻魚翁(面值12元）：外型與其他魚翁科魚類不同，習性特殊，只棲息在較深水域珊瑚礁的海扇（角珊瑚）上面，體色艷紅和海扇一致而有隱藏的作用。細長的吻部和身上艷紅方格圖案，又稱為「尖吻格魚」。

Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

特508.1-508.10 宋徽宗十八學士圖古畫郵票 / Sp. 508.1-508.10 Ancient Chinese Painting

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Issued on: 21 Sep, 2007

To promote appreciation of ancient Chinese art and philately, Taiwan Post is issuing a set of ten stamps (each with a denomination of NT$5.00) based on the Sung Dynasty painting "Eighteen Scholars of the T’ang" by the Emperor Hui-tsung, which is in the National Palace Museum collection. The full painting will be printed in a se-tenant block of ten stamps in two rows of five. The ten stamps are not uniform in size. Instead there are four different sizes, enabling the se-tenant block to be broken up into compositionally coherent individual stamps.
The Sung Dynasty Emperor Hui-tsung (1082-1135) was a very gifted calligrapher and painter and was especially good at landscape, flower-and-bird, and figure paintings. Refined and elegant, his style of calligraphy is called "slender gold script" and is characterized by thin yet powerful brush strokes. "Eighteen Scholars of the T’ang" depicts a boisterous and joyous party of the era’s literati, with scholars touring the garden, writing poetry, playing music, drinking and feasting. They sip tea, drink wine and eat delicacies in a garden where a creek meanders amid scattered rocks, flowers, pine trees and bamboo. Servants prepare tea and wine by a square table. The table has stretchers between the legs and is decorated with aprons and spandrels. A tea set is placed on the table. Beside the table is a bamboo tea basket with a tea tray on top. A simple wooden-framed two-panel screen sits atop spandrels and shoe feet. The upper part is mullioned and the lower part paneled. The scholars sat around a very large waisted table with recessed legs, a style popular during the T’ang and Five Dynasties. This is the best of several versions of this painting.


為宣揚中華文化，介紹古代精緻藝術品及推展集郵業務，續以國立故宮博物院典藏之宋徽宗十八學士圖卷為主題，印製「宋徽宗十八學士圖古畫郵票」1組10枚， 面值均為5元。是項郵票係以上下各5枚2行聯刷方式精印，構成全幅畫卷，郵票全張由1組10枚郵票組成，為求郵票構圖之美觀及完整，共有4種大小不等之票幅。

宋徽宗（西元1082-1135年），姓趙名佶。性好書畫，秉賦極高，工山水、花鳥、人物。筆墨挺秀，雅韻宜人，書稱瘦金體，筆勢勁逸。圖繪典型的文人酬 應，內容包括遊園、賦詩、奏樂、宴飲，氣氛熱鬧歡愉。聚會備以茶酒、珍饈的品酌，士人在溪亭、花石、松竹叢中，品茗酒食賞景。僕役分備茶酒，方桌腿四面有 棖，下有牙條、牙頭為飾。桌上置茶具，旁竹編茶籠內擺茶托。立地兩面式屏風造型簡潔，下有抱角牙子、墩足。屏以木為框，上部成直櫺門式，下部安板。圖中文 士圍桌而坐，箱形束腰平列壼門大案，唐、五代流行。此卷有數本傳世，此為其中較佳者。


Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd

特531 臺灣蝴蝶郵票（98年版）/ Sp.531 Taiwan Butterflies Postage Stamps (Issue of 2009)

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Issued on: 25 Jun, 2009

To call public attention to conserve natural habitat, Chunghwa Post is following up with a souvenir sheet on swallowtail butterflies. The designs follow:

1. Papilio xuthus Linnaeus (NT$5.00): It has dark brown wings, although the coloration in females is somewhat lighter. There is a pale yellow crescent (lunule) behind the forewings and hindwings, and there are some light yellow markings near the base of the hindwings. The males and females are similar in appearance except for some obvious orange markings on either side of the bluish gray band on the underside of females’ hindwings. In addition, there is a black spot on the front edge of males’ hindwings, which is absent in females.

2. Troides aeacus formosanus Rothschild (NT$5.00): The male has black wings, and the bright yellow markings on the upperside and underside of its hindwings are larger than those of the female. There is a row of black saw-tooth markings on the outer margin of its hindwings and some red markings on its thorax. Females are larger than males, with broader forewings and a complicated yellow and black pattern on their hindwings. This butterfly is an endemic subspecies to Taiwan. It is listed as a rare and valuable protected species.

3. Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus) (NT$12.00): Females and males have identical wing patterns. The male has black wings with four vertical rows of yellowish green spots on each wing. There is a fuzzy gray brand in the fold at the inner edge of the hindwings. Females lack the brand and are larger than males.

4. Papilio paris nakaharai Shirôzu (NT$12.00): It has black wings. There is a broad, metallic greenish blue marking on its hindwings, which shimmers during flight. It is one of the most beautiful butterflies in Taiwan. There is a row of red crescents on the outer edge of the underside of its hindwings. Females and males are similar in appearance, except that in males the blue marking on the upperside of the hindwing extends narrowly below and above.


為喚醒人們對自然生態環境保護的重視，本公司續以鳳蝶為題材，發行「臺灣蝴蝶郵票（98年版）」小全張1張。茲將郵票圖案簡介如下：

一、柑橘鳳蝶（面值5元）：翅呈黑褐色，雌蝶顏色較淺；前後翅有淡黃色新月紋，後翅翅基附近有淡黃色斑塊。雄雌蝶外型相似，惟雌蝶後翅腹面在藍灰色帶兩側交疊有明顯的橙黃色斑；此外，雄蝶在後翅背面前緣有黑斑點，雌蝶則無。

二、黃裳鳳蝶（面值5元）：雄蝶翅底為黑色，後翅背面及腹面之金黃色斑塊比雌蝶為大，翅緣有長鋸齒狀黑斑圍繞，胸部有紅色斑紋；雌蝶體型較大，前翅較寬廣，後翅金黃色紋被弧狀黑紋分隔成複雜之塊狀。為臺灣特有亞種蝴蝶，目前被列為珍貴稀有保育類動物。

三、綠斑鳳蝶（面值12元）：雌雄斑紋相同，雄蝶翅底為黑色，前翅背面有四列縱向黃綠色斑，後翅背面斑紋及顏色與前翅相同，內緣反褶部分有灰色之長絨毛狀性標；雌蝶無性標，體型也比雄蝶略大。

四、琉璃翠鳳蝶（面值12元）：翅為黑色，後翅有一大塊藍綠色金屬光澤的斑紋，飛行時閃耀著炫目光澤，堪稱為臺灣最美的蝴蝶之一；後翅腹面外緣有一列紅色弦月紋。雌雄外觀近似，惟雄蝶後翅背面的藍色斑紋上下呈細條狀延伸。


Reference:
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

常127 花語郵票 Def. 127 Personal Greeting Stamps—The Language of Flowers

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Issued on: 28 May, 2007

Personal greeting stamps are customized postage stamps. To provide more design options, Taiwan Post is issuing a set of ten personal greeting stamps based on the "language of flowers." All ten stamps come in denominations of NT$3.50 and NT$5.00, and the different denominations are distinguished by different background colors. Customers may bring or send in their prettiest or most memorable photos, which will be used to create a brand new set of personal greeting stamps, with which they can send mail to their family members and friends.

The designs of the stamps follow:
1. Dahlia: gratitude. Dahlia blooms represent glamour, gratitude and are sincerely offered best wishes.
2. Iris: trust. In Greek and Roman mythology, the iris represents guidance and trust.
3. Clematis: elegance. Clematis blossoms are pure and elegant.
4. Tung Blossom: joy. When it is windy, falling tung blossoms slowly twirl in the wind, creating a colorful, joyous atmosphere.
5. Rose: true love. Roses best express romantic love.
6. Sunflower: adoration, from Greek and Roman mythology.
7. Bird-of-Paradise: happiness. Locals of Cape Hope in South Africa believe that when the bird of paradise flower blooms, beautiful birds will come from far away and bring freedom, bliss and happiness.
8. East Indian Lotus: purity. Lotus blossoms are upright, unsullied, and beautiful—the very antithesis of gaudy.
9. English Daisy: vitality, vigorous flowers.
10. Balloon Flower: chastity. The flower buds appear to be proudly chaste.

個人化郵票係為顧客量身訂製之郵票，為提供顧客更多元的個人化郵票樣式，中華郵政公司特以花語為主題，發行「花語郵票」（個人化郵票）1組10枚，面值為3.5元及5元，以不同的圖案底色區分，俾供顧客選取最美或最具紀念性的照片，製作嶄新的個人化郵票寄送親友。
茲將郵票圖案簡介如下：
一、大理花：花語為感謝。代表華麗、感謝與誠摯的祝福。
二、花菖蒲：花語為信任。在希臘羅馬神話裡，有指引與被信賴之意。
三、鐵線蓮：花語為高尚。花形清純、高尚。
四、油桐花：花語為歡喜。風起時，花朵自樹梢上緩緩旋轉飄下，有種繽紛、歡欣的氣氛。
五、玫　瑰：花語為真愛。是情人間表達愛意之最佳代表。
六、向日葵：花語為仰慕，意義源自希臘羅馬神話。
七、天堂鳥：花語為快樂。南非好望角當地人相信天堂鳥開花，會有美麗的鳥自遠方來，帶來自由、幸福與快樂。
八、荷　花：花語為純淨。花姿亭亭玉立，清新脫俗，美而不華。
九、雛　菊：花語為活力。是一種生命力極旺盛的花。
十、桔　梗：花語為堅貞。含苞未開之花蕾有種傲然、堅貞不可褻玩的風貌。

References:
Chunghwa post Co., Ltd

紀314 2009高雄世界運動會紀念郵票 Com. 314 The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung Commemorative Issue

##ReadMore##
Issued on: 16 Jul, 2009


The first world games were held in Santa Clara, USA in 1981. The subsequent games were hosted by London, England; Karlsruhe, Germany; the Hague in the Netherlands; Lahti, Finland; Akita, Japan; and Duisburg, Germany. The eighth World Games will be held in Kaohsiung from July 16 to 26, 2009. To commemorate this grand sporting event, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of two stamps and a souvenir sheet featuring the Kaohsiung Arena and the Main Stadium for the World Games. The designs of the stamps follow:
1. Kaohsiung Arena (NT$5.00): This modernistic gym is equipped with standard Olympic facilities, making it a
great venue for basketball and volleyball games as well as 200-meter races in indoor track and field. On the lower right of the stamp are the mascots of the World Games 2009 Kaohsiung: Kao Mei and Syong Ge. Dressed in red and blue respectively, these “water spirit” babies have a water drop for a head. Their bodies will light up after absorbing solar energy with the little spheres on their heads. The design reflects a concern for international issues such as green energy and environmental protection.
2. The Main Stadium for the World Games (NT$12.00): The Main Stadium was built to the standards of an IAAF (the International Association of Athletics Federations) Class I certified international sports stadium. The open-air design does away with the need for air conditioning. This avant-garde architecture will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Games 2009 Kaohsiung. On the lower right of the stamp is the games’ logo — a stylized Chinese character Kao (as in Kaohsiung), “written” in a colorful and rhythmic flowing ribbon, resembling the beautiful shapes of athletes in competition. The design aims to convey the concepts of “harmony, friendship, rhythm, flight, progress and joy.”


首屆世界運動會於1981年在美國的聖塔克拉拉舉行。其後各屆主辦城市分別為英國倫敦、德國卡里斯魯、荷蘭海牙、芬蘭拉提、日本秋田及德國杜伊斯堡。第8 屆世界運動會將於98年7月16日至26日在高雄正式登場。為紀念此一運動盛會，本公司特以綜合體育館及世運主場館為主題，發行「2009高雄世界運動會 紀念郵票」1組2枚及小全張1張。茲簡介本組郵票圖案如下：

一、綜合體育館（面值5元）：高雄綜合體育館（通稱小巨蛋）是一座符合奧運設施標準的 現代化體育館，可供籃球、排球比賽及200公尺距離室內田徑賽使用。郵票右下方之2009高雄世界運動會吉祥物是一對分別有著紅藍身軀的水精靈寶寶「高 妹」與「雄哥」，頭部造型像個小水滴，頭上的小球吸收太陽能後，身體就會發光，傳達著對綠色能源、環境保護等國際議題的關心。

二、世運主場館（面值12元）：世運主場館為符合國際田徑總會一級認證標準的國際性運動場館。開放式的體育場不需空調卻自然通風，造型前衛而特殊，為2009高雄世界運動會 開、閉幕典禮的場地。郵票右下方之2009高雄世界運動會標誌是以「高」字為藍圖，以五彩繽紛、律動彩帶樣貌呈現的字型，宛如選手比賽時亮麗身影，傳達 「和諧、友誼、律動、飛躍、進步、歡樂」的概念。


Source of the materials:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Games_2009
http://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/w_stamphouse/stamphouse_dtl.jsp?file_name=B314

特494 鯨豚郵票（95年版） Sp.494 Cetacean Postage Stamps (Issue of 2006)

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Issued on: 18 Oct, 2006

The upper left is 熱帶斑海豚 (Stenella attenuata) ;
the upper right is 長吻飛旋海豚 (Stenella longirostris) ;
the lower left is 小虎鯨 (Feresa attenuata);
and the lower right is 抹香鯨 (Physeter macrocephalus).


Taiwan. °These stamps feature whales and dolphins, and the backgrounds are sketches of unspecified blue sea or the area of the ocean where the whale watching takes place. Bringing ROC stamps into a new era, Chunghwa Post has, for the first time ever, used teardrop-shaped perforation at the center of the long sides of the stamps and the souvenir sheet. The designs of the stamps follow:
(1) Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (NT$5.00): This dolphin has a slender body covered with spots. It has white lips, a long narrow white beak and a sickle-shaped dorsal fin. There is a gray patch around its eyes that extends to its snout. It is found worldwide in tropical waters between 40°N and 40°S. They are often found in the waters off Hualien County.
(2) Spinner Dolphin (NT$5.00): It has a very long and slender beak. A black stripe on each side extends from its eye to its flipper. There are three layers of different colors along its side. It has a very lively disposition and is a great leaper. It is aptly named, since it often leaps out from under the water’s surface to hit the waves or to spin like a ballerina. It can often be spotted in the waters off Gueishan Island, Ilan County.
(3) Pygmy Killer Whale (NT$10.00): The body color of this whale is dark gray to black. It has a rounded head and no beak or rostrum. The coloration around its mouth is sometimes white. Its dorsal fin shapes like a sickle. Pygmy killer whales usually form groups of 50 or fewer, although groups of several hundred have been sighted. They are often found in the waters off Sansiantai and Fugang, Taitung County.
(4) Sperm Whale (NT$15.00): This whale is exceptional for its large boxy head that makes up about 40% of its total body length. It is dark brown to brown, and the skin around its mouth is white. The upper jaw contains no teeth while the lower jaw has 18-25 functional teeth. A single blowhole is located close to the front of the head and a little off center to the left, and the blow is angled forward. It has no dorsal fin and there is a hump on its back. It is often seen in the waters around Shihti, Hualien County.

臺灣四周環海，東部海域有各式各樣的鯨豚悠游其中。近年來，賞鯨已蔚為時尚的休閒活動。為使國人進一步認識鯨豚，並呼籲民眾在賞鯨之餘兼顧保育，使臺灣擁 有潔淨豐富的海洋生態，本公司續以臺灣東部海域常見之熱帶斑海豚、長吻飛旋海豚、小虎鯨、抹香鯨為主題，發行「鯨豚郵票（95年版）」1組4枚及小全張1 張。
　　本組郵票圖案係以鯨、豚為主圖，背景襯以蔚藍的海洋及賞鯨海域之景觀素描，並首度在郵票及小全張之每個長邊中央打上1個水滴狀齒孔，此創新變化的齒孔設計將使國郵呈現嶄新的面貌。茲將郵票圖案簡介如下：
（1）熱帶斑海豚：身體修長，有斑點。吻端細長，唇及吻端呈白色，眼圈附近灰色並連至頭吻交接處，背鰭鐮刀形。分布在北緯40度與南緯40度之間的熱帶大洋區。常見於花蓮海域。
（2）長吻飛旋海豚：吻部突出且特別細長，眼至胸鰭有黑帶紋，體側明顯有3層顏色。性活潑，善跳水，常有躍身擊浪的行為，並會以身體縱軸為主旋轉，仿彿芭蕾旋舞，故稱「飛旋海豚」，常見於宜蘭龜山島海域。
（3）小虎鯨：體色深灰至黑色，頭圓，無突出吻，唇邊及吻端有時為白色。背鰭鐮刀形。小虎鯨曾有數百隻成群的紀錄，不過大部分為50或50隻以下的群體。常見於台東三仙台、富岡海域。
（4）抹香鯨：頭如盒形為主要特徵，約佔體長的40%。體色呈深灰棕至棕色，嘴側白色，上頜無齒，下頜則有18～25個具有功能的牙齒。頭部前端左側有單一氣孔，噴氣柱向前傾。無背鰭，後背有一隆突。常見於石梯海域。

Reference:
http://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/w_stamphouse/stamphouse_eng.htm
http://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/w_stamphouse/stamphouse_dtl.jsp?file_name=D494

特488 卡通明星郵票—小熊維尼 Sp. 488 Cartoon Figure Postage Stamps-Winnie the Pooh

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Issued on: 21 Jun, 2006

Winnie the Pooh, a bear that loves honey, created by English writer A.A. Milne

and illustrator E.H. Shepard, debuted in 1926. In 1966, Disney released a short

animated film, in which Pooh was changed to wear a red shirt. He still has the

same appearance today. Though he is somewhat clumsy, his kindness makes him the

most popular animal in the forest. Pooh and his friends - Rabbit, Piglet, Tigger

and so forth - live in the Hundred Acre Wood. He is the kindest and most innocent

friend in everyone's heart. In 1997, Pooh received the honorary title "Ambassador

of Friendship" from the United Nations.

So as to stimulate interest in philately among youths, Chunghwa Post has again

commissioned the Walt Disney Company (Taiwan) Ltd. to provide the designs of Winnie the Pooh, a cartoon character representing friendship and trust, for two souvenir sheets. Each souvenir sheet will include two stamps, one with a denomination of NT$5 and the other with a denomination of NT$25. The four stamps in these souvenir sheets each feature an image of Pooh - in spring, summer, autumn and winter respectively. This is a set of stamps worth treasuring.

Winnie the Pooh（小熊維尼）是英國作家 A.A.Milne與插畫家E.H.Shepard筆下1隻愛吃蜂蜜的熊，1926年他首度與人們見面。1966年，迪士尼發表短篇動畫片，將傳統小熊維尼的造型稍作修改，即目前所見穿著紅色T恤的小熊維尼。維尼純真可愛，雖然有點笨拙，但心地善良，是森林中最受歡迎的動物。他與好友們－兔子、小豬、跳跳虎…等，住在“百畝森林”裡，是每個人心中最善良、最純真的朋友，1997年更獲頒聯合國友誼證書。

本公司為提升青少年集郵風氣，續以深受青少年喜愛，象徵友誼、信任之卡通明星小熊維尼為主角，委託台灣華特迪士尼股份有限公司精心設計「卡通明星郵票－Winnie the Pooh」小全張2張，每張均含面值新台幣5元及25元郵票1枚。

References:
http://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/w_stamphouse/stamphouse_dtl.jsp?file_name=D488

特493 保育鳥類郵票—八色鳥 Sp.493 Conservation of Birds Postage Stamps - Fairy Pitta

##ReadMore##
Issued on: 30 Sep, 2006
Drscription: Rare and valuable species- Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta brachyura, Pitta nympha)


The fairy pitta (Pitta nympha), a member of the order passeriformes in the family pittidae, is known in Chinese as the "eight-color bird" for its eye-catching plumage of eight different colors: black, white, yellow, red, blue, dark green, chestnut and bright blue. Taiwan currently provides the largest fairy pitta habitat and breeding range of any place in the world, yet the population of fairy pittas declines rapidly as a result of habitat loss. To let our citizens put more emphasize on ecological conservation, Chunghwa Post has asked Mr. Lin Ruey-Shing of the Endemic Species Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, to plan a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on the 「Conservation of Birds Postage Stamps - Fairy Pitta」. The designs of the stamps follow:
1. Perching High (NT$5.00): Fairy pittas are active on the ground of the forest. To attract mates, the males often perch on high branches and sing their hearts out.
2. Flying (NT$5.00): Although they are excellent flyers, fairy pittas spend most of their time on the ground. When they make short-distance dashes in the woods, their bright blue wing coverts and upper tail coverts, as well as the snowy white spots in their wings, shimmer. It is a dazzling sight.
3. Rearing the Young (NT$10.00): Fairy pittas like to build their nests on the grounds of steep slopes, in the forks of low shrubs or at the base of bamboo bushes in low-altitude broad-leaved forests where the tree crowns are dense. The males and females share the responsibility for hatching eggs and rearing the young.
4. Foraging (NT$10.00): Fairy pittas are shy birds. Their sharp senses help them to find food. Earthworms are the primary food source for baby birds. Their diverse diet also includes caterpillars, beetles, ants, centipedes, snails and cicadas.

Their colorful feathers are so attractive!!!


八色鳥屬雀形目八色鳥科，身著「黑、白、黃、紅、青、暗綠、茶褐、寶藍」八色羽衣，在鳥族之中十分醒目耀眼。根據學者研究調查發現，臺灣是目前已知全世界八色鳥的最大棲息與繁殖地，然而八色鳥在臺灣仍面臨棲息地消失的嚴重生存壓力。為加深國人重視生態保育觀念，特委請行政院農業委員會特有生物研究保育中心 鳥類研究員林瑞興先生規劃「保育鳥類郵票－八色鳥」1組4枚及小全張1張。茲將本組郵票圖案簡介如下：
1、高踞（面值5元）：八色鳥主要活動於森林底層，雄鳥為了求偶，經常停踞在領域範圍內高處突出樹枝上，大聲鳴唱。
2、飛行（面值5元）：八色鳥雖有傲人的飛行能力，但多在地面活動不常飛行，一旦展翅即在林間短距離快速直線飛行，閃爍在雙肩與尾上覆羽的琉璃藍色光澤，及雙翼中的雪白斑塊，非常亮眼奪目。
3、育雛（面值10元）：八色鳥喜將其鳥巢築於低海拔闊葉林中樹冠層鬱閉的陡坡地面上、低矮喬木樹幹分岔處或竹叢根部，雌雄八色鳥共同負擔孵卵及餵養雛鳥的工作。
4、覓食（面值10元）：八色鳥生性羞怯，靠著敏銳的知覺尋找獵物，蚯蚓是育雛主要的食物，其他如毛蟲、甲蟲、螞蟻、蜈蚣、蝸牛與蟬等都在八色鳥菜單之列，可見八色鳥覓食的多樣性。


References:
Chunghwa Post Co.

特447保育鳥類郵票—栗喉蜂虎 Sp.447 Conservation of Birds Postage Stamps-Blue-tailed Bee-eaters

##ReadMore##
Issued on: 08 May, 2003


To promote a better understanding about ecological conservation and to raise the image of R.O.C. internationally for its conservation efforts, the Chunghwa Post is taking the bluetailed bee-eater, a protected summer migratory bird species in Kinmen National Park, as the topic for a set of four stamps as well as a souvenir sheet.

The blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) belongs to the order Coraciiformes, family Meropidae. The family Meropidae consists of 25 species. More than 30 countries in the world have taken some ten of these species as subjects of bird stamps. Including their tail feathers, blue-tailed bee-eaters are about 30 centimeters long. They look very beautiful with their black eye stripes, sharp and pointy bills, red throats, green backs and blue feathers. They are very nimble and often catch their prey in flight-behavior that has earned them the nickname "hunters on the wing." They come to Kinmen to breed during April and May every year. Their colorful plumage adds many beautiful colors to the summer sky of Kinmen, and the sight of them in flight is enjoyed very much by bird watchers.

The upper left stample is 栗喉蜂虎捕食 / Merops philippinus Foraging;

the upper right is 栗喉蜂虎群棲 / Merops philippinus Roosting;

the lower left is 栗喉蜂虎沐浴 / Merops philippinus Bathing;

and the lower right is 栗喉蜂虎育雛 / Merops philippinus Feeding Chick.

I assumed they must be dinosaurs when I saw this stamp at the first time.

I was so stupid!!!

為宣導自然保育關觀念，並提昇我國國際保育形象，本公司特以金門國家公園中極具代表性之保育夏季候鳥—栗喉蜂虎為主題，印製「保育鳥類郵票—栗喉蜂虎」1組4枚及小全張1張。

栗喉蜂虎屬佛法僧目蜂虎科，全世界有25種蜂虎，已有30餘個國家將其中10餘種製作為鳥類專題郵票。栗喉蜂虎，含尾羽約長30公分，黑色的過眼 線、尖尖的嘴喙，配上紅喉、綠背、藍尾，外型豔麗。動作敏捷，常在飛行中捕捉獵物，擁有「空中獵手」的稱號 。每年4、5月間來到金門，營巢繁殖，五彩繽紛的羽毛，總是為金門的夏日天空增添許多斑斕的色彩，令賞鳥人士嘆為觀止。

茲將本組郵票圖案主題簡介如下：

(1)捕食：栗喉蜂虎是標準的食蟲性鳥類，飛行技巧高超的蜻蜓、蜜蜂、蝴蝶都是牠們的佳餚 ，在自然生態中，亦可藉以控制昆蟲數量、維護昆蟲之多樣化。

(2)群棲：為發揮共同放防禦的優勢，栗喉蜂虎一般集結小群活動、覓食，常見於耕作區域及 樹林旁的電線樹梢上，並以笛聲般的鳴叫聲，來維持同伴間之聯繫。

(3)沐浴：以土洞為巢的栗喉蜂虎，會被寄生蟲寄生。日正當中時，攤開全身的羽毛，貼在地上，讓周身上下都能曝曬到日光，更藉由沙子的熱度驅趕藏在羽毛間的寄生蟲。

(4)育雛：栗喉蜂虎的育雛期約1個月，親鳥外出捕捉昆蟲餵食幼鳥，所有會飛的昆蟲都可能 成為幼鳥的食物。親鳥餵食期間非常忙碌，幼鳥常在巢洞口邊搶食。

Source of the materials: Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-tailed_Bee-eater

Chunghwa Post Co.