Cheng Cheng-kung (1624-1662) was born with the given name of Sen to a family from Fujian’s Quanzhou. The emperor of the Southern Ming gave him the imperial surname of Zhu, with his given name changed to “Cheng-kung,” which means success. Because he led resistance against Qing forces, a successor to the Southern Ming throne would give Cheng Cheng-kung the title “Prince of Yanping.” This is why he was also called Koxinga (“prince with the national surname”) or Cheng Yanping. Cheng and his forces landed at Luermen in Taiwan, expelled the Dutch, and opened much of the island to cultivation. Along with his son and grandson, he turned the page onto a new era in the history of the development of Taiwan. To commemorate Cheng Cheng-kung’s 400th birthday, Chunghwa Post has specially issued a NT$35 stamp. It is described below:
The stamp features “The Portrait of Koxinga” from National Taiwan Museum, which is the earliest and most accurate of his portraits. The background is an image from “Central Panel in Cursive Script,” a work of Cheng’s own calligraphy in the collection of the National Palace Museum that is composed of five-character quatrains in cursive script. The vigorous brushwork bears witness to the bold and upright character of this Confucian general.
(1) First Day Cover (195 mm × 120 mm): NT$3 apiece(2) Folder (with or without mount): NT$8 apiece(3) Loose-leaf album page: NT$8 apiece(4) Pre-cancelled FDC affixed with one NT$35-denominated stamp: NT$38 apieceTo purchase the relative philatelic products, please go directly to the post office branches, Postal Museum or order on line at https://stamp.post.gov.tw.Cachet: A commemorative cachet will be available at Postal Museum and the following branches: Taipei Beimen, Shilin, Wenshan Jingmei, Yangming-shan, Shiding, Shenkeng, Pingsi, Kinmen, Matsu, Beitou, Neihu, Nangang, Muzha, Keelung Ai 3rd Road, Banqiao Wenhua Rd., Sindian, Shulin, Sanchong Zhongshan Rd., Sinzhuang, Danshui, Yilan Zhongshan Rd., Luodong, Taoyuan Chenggong Rd., Zhongli, Longtan, Yangmei, Hsinchu Wuchang St., Jhubei, Zhudong, Hukou, Miaoli Zhongmiao, Taichung Minquan Rd., Fongyuan, Wuri Mingdao, Changhua Zhongyang Rd., Yuanlin, Nantou Sanhe, Chiayi Wenhua Rd., Chiayi Yushan, Douliou Siping Rd., Tainan Chenggong Rd., Jiali, Sinying, Xinxing, Gangshan, Fongshan, Magong Jhongjheng Rd., Pingtung Minsheng Rd., Taitung Datong Rd., Chenggong and Hualien Guo-an. For further information about the locations of commemorative cachets, please refer to our website at http://www.post.gov.tw.