With many different ethnic groups and a complex history, Taiwan has long featured a great diversity of cultural practices engaged in by common people - a diversity demonstrated in every aspect of people’s lives. To give people a sense of the industrious spirit, creativity and the self-sacrificing and frugal attitudes that characterized early settlers in Taiwan, this Post is issuing a set of four stamps on the topic of ceremonial objects from that era. The designs of the stamps follow:
1.Gift Basket (NT$5.00): During folk festivals, ceremonies and celebrations, all kinds of delectable treats were put in gift baskets that were offered to friends and relatives.
2.Wooden Carrying Box (NT$5.00): Wooden carrying boxes were used to carry betrothal gifts from the groom’s family and the presents from the bride’s family given in turn to the groom’s family. The boxes were essential ceremonial objects for betrothals.
3.Bridal Sedan Chair (NT$12.00): Most of the bridal sedan chairs were painted mostly red, and decorated with paintings or embroideries of flowers, birds, and human figures.
4.Candle Sticks (NT$12.00): A pair of candle sticks - along with an incense burner and a pair of vases - was an essential item for an altar, whether at a temple or household ancestral shrine. Burning candles conveyed people’s respect for the gods.
(1) First Day Cover to be sold at NT$2.00 apiece
(2) Folder especially prepared for the stamps to be sold at NT$5.00 apiece.
(3) Folder with crystal mount for better protection of the stamps to be sold at NT$5.00 apiece.
(4) Loose-leaf stamp album page with plastic cover to be sold at NT$8.00 apiece.
(5) Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a low-valued stamp to be sold at NT$7.00 apiece.
(6) Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a complete set of stamps to be sold at NT$36.00 apiece.
To purchase the relative philatelic products, please go directly to the post office branches, or order on line at http://stamp.post.gov.tw.