To celebrate and draw attention to the nation’s historical artifacts and to create greater understanding about the beauty in making and enjoying tea, Chunghwa Post has selected works from the National Palace Museum connected to tea for a set of three stamps. The designs follow: 1. Tea Grinding, by Liu Songnian from the Song dynasty; Hanging scroll (NT$5): The stamp takes a portion of the left side of the painting, which captures how tea was made in the Song dynasty. One hand-mills tea into powder, with a tea ladle and a brush close at hand. Another holds a cup in his left hand as he pours tea from a teapot with his right hand. In front of the table there is a stove, its fire lit, with a handled pot of water boiling on top of it.2. Lu Tong Brewing Tea by Qian Xuan from the Song dynasty; Hanging scroll (NT$15): The use of reddish clay Yixing teapots to brew tea, as shown in the painting, came into vogue in the middle of the Ming dynasty. One is tending the flames of the stove, where water is being boiled in a single-handled pot. To the side is a double-leveled reddish clay handled pot. The central figure in white clothing is the Tang dynasty poet Lu Tong. By his side are a three-legged reddish clay teapot, a white ceramic tea bowl, a red lacquered tea-bowl stand and some books. The painting presents a classic scene of hermit scholars gathering to discuss literature over tea.3. Tasting Tea by Wen Zhengming from the Ming dynasty; Hanging scroll (NT$25): This painting shows friends drinking tea before expected rainfall. In an elegant thatched hut, two figures chat while drinking tea. Outside, a figure is coming across a bridge. The painting is a charming representation of how the literati would gather to have tea. Also released is a boxed-set stamp folio consisting of 3 sets of block of four postage stamps with printer’s markings, 3 pre-cancelled maximum cards and the first set of 3 bookplates ever issued.