Macau Stamps

Welcome the 12000th Visitors

2012-01-31T07:21:00.001Z

Aqui ficam as melhores saudações Filatélicas, para os visitantes de todo o mundo, que diariamente visitam o meu blog.

(English version)

Here are the best Philatelic greetings to visitors from all over the world who daily visit my blog.

Lunar Year of the Dragon

2012-01-05T06:30:00.000Z

The stars in the orient, flourishing Macao

The Dragon augurs the year of prosperity

“Stars (龍 means dragon,symbol of the Emperor) go to the orient, the North Country is blessed with thearrival of the Emperor” – A poem by Yan Yannian quoted in “Literary Selections”(Wenxuan).
“The orient direction is called Spring” - Li Shan quoted in “The Book of Rites”
“Who rules with morality wins the support of the people is like the moonsurrounded by the stars” - Quoted in ‘Political Ethics from the Analects ofConfucius” (Lunyu — Weizheng).
“Dragon chant presents with flute like flowing the water” - The famous Chinesepoet Li Bai quoted in the poem “Recreation Poems for Imperial Palace”.

The first characters of the second verse of thecouplet means the dragon sings auspicious tunes.

The general idea of the couplet is that the starblessing us appearing in the orient means the flourish of Macao and the tune ofDragon Chant playing augurs the prosperity of Macao.

Author: Lao Wali
Translation: C&C — Translation Center. Ltd.

About the “Five Dragons”

There are two kinds of theories about theattributes of the Five Elements in each year: one saying is dependent on the“Heavenly Stems” while the other is based on the sound retainers of the FiveElements, which are calculated by “Heavenly Stems” and the “Earthly Branches”.

If calculated by “Heavenly Steins”, the dragon’snature for the Five Elements is as follows:

“Water Dragon”: Renchen Year (Ren belongs toWater) 2012, 1952

“Metal Dragon”: Gengchen Year (Geng belongs toMetal) 2000, 1940
“Earth Dragon”: Wuchen Year (Wu belongs to Earth) 1988, 1928
“Fire Dragon”: Bingchen Year (Bing belongs to Fire) 1976. 1916
“Wood Dragon”: Jiachen Year (Jia belongs to Wood) 1964. 1904

If based on the sound retainers of the FiveElements, the dragon’s nature for the Five Elements and their mnemonics are asfollows:

“Water Dragon”: Renchen Year (Rendsen - runningwater) 2012, 1952
“Metal Dragon”: Gengchen Year (Gengchen - wax metal) 2000, 1940
“Wood Dragon”: Wuchen Year (Wuchen - forest wood) 1988, 1928
“Earth Dragon”: Bingchen Year (Bingchen - earth in sand) 1976, 1916
“Fire Dragon”: Jiachen Year (Jiachen - fire of buddha) 1964, 1904

The Macao Post adopted the “Heavenly Stems”calculation method lo figure out the nature of the “Five Elements” in the fifthissue of the third series of Chinese Zodiac stamps “Lunar Year of the Dragon”. Thisyear, the dragon’s nature from the “Five Elements” is water, so dragon with thebackground of Chinese traditional ink painting becomes the main character ofthe five stamps.

“Water Dragon” - The Water Dragon is a kind of“Marine Dragon”, which is a member of the popular dragons and the along withthe current dragons. The character of the Water Dragon is to drift with thetide and his career also goes agreeable. He is circumspection and has good relationswith others, especially with those of opposite sex. However, he sometimes is excessivelyscrupulous in conducting himself.

“Metal Dragon” - The Metal Dragon is a kind of“Rising Dragon”, which belongs to perfectionism dragons. He is creative and has varied ideas. He is moreidealist than doer, loving to be outstanding and upholding the torch of love. The Metal Dragon has a straightforward personality and loves to live byhis own definitions.

“Earth Dragon” - The Earth Dragon is a kind of“Heaven Dragon”. which belongs to philanthropic dragons. With more sensitiveaffections, he loves the world and Ilie people. He is diligent and enterprising in work, however,frequently ignores cost and benefit in practical business.

“Fire Dragon” - The Fire Dragon is a kind of“Ground Dragon”, which is a member of born-beautiful dragons. Withborn-beautiful appearance and outspoken personality, he has good relations withfriends and with those of opposite sex. He is good at considering the situations,however, cannot appreciate other’s characters and abilities or offers themsuitable positions.

“Wood Dragon” - The Wood Dragon is a kind of“Conqueror Dragon”, which is the head of all dragons. Fie is an outstandingtalent, rich of challenging spirit. Though he shows his inherent character ofimperturbation and doesn’t like to show off, however, his pearlescent influence

still attracts others.

Author: Lawrence Lei
Translation: C&C — Translation Center, Ltd.

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with SouvenirSheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/TechnicalData

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of 5 stamps of1.50, 1.50, 1.50, 1.50 and 5.00 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com cincoséries/Minisheets with five sets

Valor do Bloco/SouvenirSheet Value: 12.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Wilson Chi Ian Lam

Data emissão/Issue date: 05.01.2012

Impressor/Printer: Sprintpak,Australia

Impressão/Print: OffsetLithography with Embossing and Hot Foil Stamping with Silver and Holographic

Papel/Paper: Security Paper

Selos por folha/Stampsper sheet: 25

Dimensão/Size: 35 x 35mm

Picotagem/Perforation: 14.28 x 14.28

New Year 2012

2011-12-31T10:06:00.002Z

Iwould like to wish you, Your Families and friends a Happy New Year.

That2012 can bring you all Good Health, Happiness, Success and Joy.

Plano de Emissões para 2011 / 2011 Issue Plan

2011-12-26T10:27:00.001Z

Season’s Greetings Postcard from Macao Post Philately Division

2011-12-18T15:35:00.001Z

Season’s Greetings Postcard from Macao PostPhilately Division

Welcome the 11000th Visitors

2011-11-29T07:06:00.001Z

Aqui ficam as melhoressaudações Filatélicas, para os visitantes de todo o mundo, que diariamentevisitam o meu blog.

(English version)

Here are the best Philatelic greetings tovisitors from all over the world who daily visit my blog.

140th Anniversary of Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association

2011-10-29T07:39:00.000+01:00

Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association(referred to as Kiang Wu Charitable Association), one of the relatively large-scalecharitable organizations run by the locals in Macao, was established in 1871.It has gone through three centuries of history and reached the age of 140. Thepurpose of the Charitable Association is to undertake charity activities,provide medical services and develop education to benefit the general public.The Charitable Association is an administrative public welfare legal entityregistered with the Macao SAR Government and has subordinate organizations includingKiang Wu hospital, Kiang Wu Nursing College, Kiang Peng Middle School andsocial service organizations including the Kiang Wu Funeral Parlour and theKiang Wu Mourning Garden.

As being the main body of the CharitableAssociation, at the time of establishment, Kiang Wu Hospital dedicated theirefforts into helping the sick by using traditional Chinese medicine. At thattime, natural disasters frequently took place in the mainland, which broughtcontinuous misery upon the people in mainland China, so the directors of the CharitableAssociation proactively made donation to relieve the people in disasters. ln1893, Emperor Guangxu of the

Qing Dynasty granted the Association a plaque,with “Built under the Emperor’s Order” as recognition of their contribution. In1892, Mr. Sun Yat-sen went to Kiang Wu Hospital to undertake the post ofvoluntary doctor of western medicine and opened up the vanguard of westernmedicine. ln order to support Mr. Sun Yat-sen in connecting with the society bymaking use of his medical skills to declare the thoughts of democraticrevolution, the Charitable Association offered great amount of funds forsubsidy. During the period of the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945), Kiang VuHospital directly supported the frontline, by providing medical treatment tothe wounded, relieving the refugees and acting as the chief of Macao Branch of“War Bond Fundraising Committee” to actively raise funds for supporting theAnti-Japanese War. After Hong Kong was occupied by the enemy, the Associationalso helped to evacuate a lot of intellectualists and nationalists. Kiang VuHospital has always been serving the comunity with the spirit of practicingmedicine to help, heal and rescue those in need. Since the foundation of NewChina in 1949, it has been constantly walking towards modernization.

After the return of Macao to the motherland,specialized technologies began to develop rapidly. Adhering to the guideline of“patients-oriented”, the hospital emphasizes strongly on teaching andscientific research and has established cooperative relationship with severalhigher education institutions and medical organizations in the mainland ,Taiwan,Hong Kong as well as Macao. Furthermore, the Hospital focuses on simultaneousdevelopment in medical treatment, scientific research and teaching, which playsan important role in the medical health care of Macao citizens.

Kiang Wu Nursing College and Kiang Peng School,as subordinates to the Charitable Association, spare no efforts in promotingthe salutary influence of education and constantly improving education quality.Kiang Wu Nursing College has launched various diversified courses to cultivatehigh-quality nursing talents for the society, whilst Kiang Peng School hasgained plentiful and substantial achievements in the work of “promoting qualityeducation and building

first-class school” and has entered the list ofMacao's first-class schools. Other social services of the Charitable Associationhave shown remarkable improvements in the aspects of service quality, environment,etc.: and are aiming to improve further to serve the citizens.

Looking into the future, Kiang Wu HospitalCharitable Association which has a history of 140 years will observe the purposeof serving the society, continue with the past and open up the future, closelycooperate with the policies of the government of the special region, makereformation and innovation with new thoughts and new philosophies, walk towardsthe new road and make new contributions.

This set of commemorative stamps integrates theimages such as the emblem, establishment stele, hoard, bronze statue of Mr. SunYat-sen, pictures of buildings as well as the white marble embossments, etc.,indicates the deal) friendship of the Charitable Association with Mr. SunYat-sen, the development process of the Charitable Association closelyconnected with Macao history of 140 years since the establishment andconsistent purpose of serving the society.

Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association

Translation: C&C - Translation Center, Ltd.

The Stamps:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with SouvenirSheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/TechnicalData

Valor dos Selos/StampsValue: set of four stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 Patacas

Valor do Bloco/SouvenirSheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Ng Wai Kin

Data emissão/Issue date: 28.10.2011

Impressor/Printer: Joh.Enschedé Security Print, Netherlands

Impressão/Print: OffsetLithography

Papel/Paper: Paper withSecurity Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 14 x 13¼

The Xinhai Revolution 辛亥革命

2011-10-23T11:31:00.000+01:00


Souvenir sheets

PrestigeStamp Booklet jointly issued by MacaoPost, China Post and Hong Kong Post

The Xinhai Revolution(named for the Chinese year of Xinhai (1911), was the overthrow of China'sruling Qing Dynasty, sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, and theestablishment of the Republic of China.

The revolution began with the armed WuchangUprising and the spread of republican insurrection through the southernprovinces, and culminated in the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor afterlengthy negotiations between rival Imperial and Republican regimes based inBeijing and Nanjing respectively, in 1900, the ruling Qing Dynasty decided tocreate a modernized army, called the "New Army". At the time, the city of Wuchang, on the YangtzeRiver in the province of Hubel, had the most modernized military industry, soit became the site where weapons and other military equipment for the New Armywere manufactured. The revolutionary ideas of Sun Yat-sen extensivelyinfluenced officers and soldiers of the New Army in Wuchang, and manyparticipated in revolutionary organizations.

The uprising itself brokeout largely by accident. Revolutionaries intent on overthrowing the Qingdynasty had built bombs and one accidentally exploded. This led police toinvestigate, and they discovered lists of revolutionaries within the New Army.At this point elements of the New Army revolted rather than face arrest. Theprovincial government panicked and fled. Initially, the revolt was consideredto be merely the latest in a series of mutinies that had occurred in southernChina, and was widely expected to be quickly put down. The fact that it hadmuch larger implications was due to the fact that the Qing dynasty delayedacting against the rebellion, allowing provincial assemblies in many southernprovinces to declare independence from the Qing and allegiance to therebellion.

Sun Yat-sen himself had nodirect part in the uprising and was traveling in the United States at the timein an effort to recruit more support from among overseas Chinese. He found outabout the uprising by reading a newspaper report.
A sense of the Qing Dynasty having lost the mandate of heaven may havecontributed to the revolt. Evidence of the loss of the mandate of heaven, inChina, often constitutes of natural disasters, such as fires and floods. TheYangtze overflowed its banks in 1911, and the revolting troops were, of course,situated near that river. Such a flood would have had a profound psychologicalimpact on any government officials, rebels, peas-ants, and other Chinese in thevicinity, and the flood was a notable disaster, with 100,000 fatalities.

The Qing government failedto respond for a crucial few weeks. This gave the revolutionaries time todeclare a provisional government. Other provincial assemblies then joined therevolutionaries. Within a month, representatives of the seceding provinces hadmet to declare a Republic of China. A compromise between the conservativegentry and the revolutionaries saw Sun Yat-sen chosen as provisional president.

Leaving the brilliantimpression on China modern history, the Xinhai Revolution is a great piece ofpolitical affair shocked around the world, which is the first time to flagDemocracy republic on China. It overthrew the Qing dynasty and founded theRepublic of China. This emancipated the people from the rule of the feudal system.

more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinhai_Revolution

Centenary of Xinhai Revolution

2011-10-23T09:37:00.001+01:00

Under the leading of Sun Yat-sen. a revelatorypioneer of Chinese people. Qing Dynasty ruled China for more than 260 years,was overthrown in 1911 The Autocratic Monarchy System lasting more than twothousand years was ended and a democratic republic never seen in Chinese historywas founded. It is a great world-shaking event in the history of China and theworld happening in 1911, the year of Xinhai in lunar calendar, therefore the revolutionwas called Xinhai Revolution.

In order to celebrate the Centenary of XinhaiRevolution, Macao Post issues four commemorative stamps and one souvenir sheet.The themes on the four stamps are “Revolutionary Preparation”, “PermanentHeroism”, “Wuchang Uprising” and “Foundation of the Republic of China”respectively and the theme on the souvenir sheet is “Recovery of China”.

Revolutionary Preparation

After a long term gestation and preparation,Xintiai Revolution took Hong Kong and Macao as centers for command and planning,funds collection, ammunition purchase and production, contacts of revolutionarycomrades at home and abroad and shelter for revolutionaries after failure ofuprising.

Gao Jianfu (1879 1951), oneof the founders of Lingnan Chinese Painting. Heserved as Chairman with the Chinese Revolutionary League (Tongmenghui) ofGuangdong Branch, and he established the League of Macao Branch in 1911 atNo.41, Nanwan Street (Avenida da Praia Grande). He joined the famousHuanghuagang Uprising and Guangzhou campaign, and died in Macao on 22 June1951.

Permanent Heroism

The martyrs who joined the Huanghuagang Uprisingin Guangzhou, China on 27 April 1911 were buried in Huanghuagang Mausoleum of72 Martyrs.

Huang Xing (1874 - 1916), genealogical name:Keqiang. He launched the Huanghuagang Uprising in Guangzhou in 1911. After theWuchang Uprising broke out he became as Commander-in-chief in Time of War. Hedied of constant overwork in 1916. Zliang Taiyan gave an elegiac couplet indicating:“No Republic can be founded without him. He must be remembered for ever”.

Wuchang Uprising

Gate of Wuchang Uprising is lhe place where thefirst gua was triggered off the Wuchang Uprising and the ancient city towernamed Harmony Gate (Zhonghe Men) was renamed as Uprising Gate (Qiyi Men).

Xiong Bitigkun (1885 - 1969), from Jiangxia,Hubei Province. He served as Chief Representative of Gongjinhui in the 8°battalion of the 8th town of Hubei warlord where he recruited about 200revolutionaries in secrecy. Before the Wuchang Uprising on 10 October 1911,when a solder named Cheng Dingguo fired and killed an officer of Qing army, hewhistled to gather the soldiers immediately, declaring the formal uprising andthen he led the army to occupy Chuwangtai armory. Afterwards revolutionaries inarmies inside and outside Wuchang rose up one after another. After therevolutionaries controlled three cities in Wuhan, the people in other provincesrose up as well arid the Qing Dynasty was overthrown.

Foundation of lhe Republicof China

On 29 December 1911, through the joint decisionof representatives from 17 provinces. Sun Yat-sen was elected as ProvisionalPresident. On 22:00, 1 January 1912, Sun Yat-sen acceded to ProvisionalPresident in Nanjing and changed the title of the dynasty into the “Republic ofChina” and the year 1912 was declared to be the first year of the Republic ofChina.

The office of Provisional President Sun Yat-senwas located at the west of Xii Yuan, 292 Changjiang Road, Nanjing, which was aparlor formerly constructed by Duan Fang. governor-general of Qing Dynasty.

Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan) (1866 - 1925), bigname: Wen, genealogical name: Deining, baptized name: Rixin. Japanese name: Nakayarna Sho.

Though he served as President for 91 days only,he established and issued more than 30 governmental decrees which would bebeneficial to the development of democratic politics, national capital andcultural education and he was worth to be the pioneer of bourgeois revolutionand a great revolutionist of democratic revolutionary.

Recovery of China

Suit Yat-sen attached great importance to thedesign of stamps when serving as Provisional President, and called Chengyu,Secretary of Traffic Department and Tang Wenqi of Commissioner of Posts andTelecommunications Department and so on to make careful study on the design of commemorativestamps for national foundation and determined to terminate the datemark of“Heavenly Stems” and “Earthly Branches”, and adopt the postal datemark of theRepublic of China. In late 1912, the commemorative stamps of recovery andrepublic carrying design of head portrait of Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai waspublished respectively.

Sun Yat-sen liked writing “The world belongs tothe public” as gift. The phrase was abstracted out of “Liji - Liyun”: “A publicspirit will rule all under the sky when the great way prevails”, Mr. SunYat-sen thought: “Equality and freedom are rights of citizens, howeverofficeholders shall be public servants for the citizens”. He swore beforeserving as Provisional President: “Solidify the Republic of China, createhappiness for the people, which are what the people want, I should abide by thetenet, loyal to my country and serve the people”. Sun Yat-sen introduced theconcepts of “serve the people” and “public servant” to China’s politics whichrefresh everyone.

On 10 January 1912, the Provisional Senatepassed a special decision to adopt the Five-Colored Republic Flag (or Five-ColoredFlag) as national flag, which means a Republic for nationalities as Han,Manchus, Mongols, Hui and Tibetan.

The Eighteen-Star Flag, the full name is BloodEighteen-Star Flag. it was a flag declared for the establishment of HubeiMilitary Government after Wuchang Uprising. ln the second day of Wuchanguprising, the Military Government planned to declare the foundation of theRepublic of China with the Blood Flag as revolutionary flag. On May 1921, afterSun acceded to Extraordinary President, he declared to abolish the Five-ColoredFlag and Blood Flag and replace them with a flag of “Blue Sky with a WhiteSun”.

Author: Yin Degang

Translation: C&C -Translation Centre. Ltd.

Acknowledgement: photos of Huang Xing, Sun Yatsen (Provisional President), Gate of Wuchang Uprising, the Office of ProvisionalPresident in Nanjing and the Swear of Provisional President Sun Yan-sen.

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with SouvenirSheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/TechnicalData

Valor dos Selos/StampsValue: set of four stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com quatroséries/Minisheets with four sets of stamps

Valor do Bloco/SouvenirSheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Wong LeungChung

Data emissão/Issue date: 10.10.2011

Impressor/Printer: Beijing,PSPH

Impressão/Print: OffsetLithography

Papel/Paper: Paper withSecurity Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13 x13.33

Historic Figures and Macao

2011-10-17T07:10:00.000+01:00

Macao is a small territory, the area of the peninsula may only be six or seven square kilometers and the total area of the peninsula plus that of the two offshore islands is only about twenty square kilometers. However, the unique geographical conditions and superior humanity environment provide outstanding figures with a piece of land for life and work and make numerous elites leave clear footprints in Macao. They stayed long or provisionally resided or lingered or stopped on the way for a rest. Because of all kinds of chances and experiences, they had close relation with Macao, generated important influences on such small city and became the rich, colorful and increasingly new collective memory of the people of Macao.

Macao not only has “Historic Center” universally acknowledged by the world, hut also has globally well-known “historic figures”. Macao is not only a city for tourism and gambling, hut also a famous city with historic culture. Such “family property” of great honor, becomes the disposition gene full of pride, awe and veneration of the people of Macao, on the other hand, even constantly arouses historic introspection and modern consideration for the need of opening up and forging ahead in the extraordinarily rapid era reform. While the main idea of such introspection and consideration is how to fuilher explore the cultural resources of Macao, highlight the spirits, meritorious service and great achievement of the historic figures, absorb nutrients, extract the wisdom and purify the soul among them, carry them forward and share them with the whole world.

Therefore, Macao Post especially launches an issue with the theme “Historic Figures and Macao” including a set of four stamps and one souvenir sheet. On the four stamps. the head portraits of four historic figures are respectively printed: Lin Zexu, a national hero in Chinese modern history, personally patrolled in Macao in the great anti-opium movement, his determined steps shocked China and foreign countries: Ye Ting, an army commander of the New Fourth Army in China with fame based on military exploits spreading far away, considered Macao as his “second hometown” and spent the quietest six years of his life in Macao: Xian Xinghai, a “great and strong” musician, who praises the Chinese nation by “The Yellow River Cantata” of great momentum, was horn in the family of a mariner as a true “son of Macao”: Ho Yin, an industrial and commercial giant, famous social activist and philanthropist who made distinguished contributions to the construction of Macao and his motherland was a typical person who loved the motherland and Macao.

The souvenir sheet with the forms “repeated chapter” for historic elites with the repeatedly appearing micro head portraits of the above figures as the background: the black-and-white half-length portraits of the four historic figures overprinted at the lower right corner, from the shallower to the deeper, arranged in sequence, indicate the memory of long and short time: for the stamp at the upper left, on the top of the head portraits of the ligures, the golden lotus is blossoming under the shining of five stars, which even reflects the lofty value judgment on the historic figures by Macao that has walked into new era.

With these tiny pieces, they fully carry deep and strong affection of the people of Macao: may the historic figures having made distinguished contributions to China and Macao and their spirits spread to further time and space.

Author: Lei Kun Teng

Translal ion: C&C — Translation Center. Ltd.

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of four stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com quatro séries/Minisheets with four sets of stamps

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Carlos Marreiros

Data emissão/Issue date: 09.10.2011

Impressor/Printer: Österreichische Staatsdruckerei, Austria

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13¾ x 13¾

25th Macao International Music Festival

2011-10-16T21:08:00.001+01:00

Time flies, and, though it’s hard to imagine, the Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) celebrates its 25 anniversary on October. Over the past quarter century, the Festival has unfailingly delivered a tasteful annual offering of the highest quality music, walking the path of internationalization while promoting local culture and creating an event that has become a unique artistic asset for the Land of the Lotus. The Festival’s programming principles have shaped it into an outstanding example of Macao’s harmonious and refined integration of past and present and the Chinese and Western cultures.

As one of the Region’s grandest cultural happenings, the MIMF not only elevates the city to international aesthetic standards, it is an event warmly welcomed and widely acclaimed by music aficionados both at home and abroad. Today, the Festival has become a showcase for Macao’s very own cultural image. as well as a stage for exchange and dialogue between the most talented players in the international arts arena.

To welcome the arrival of the Festival’s Silver Jubilee. Macao Post has released a special commemorative stamp set, which includes stamps. souvenir sheet and postmark.

The four stamps feature a keyboard. a trumpet. a drum and sttings against a white, webbed background. conveying interaction between the various musical i nstniments.

Set against a grey field, the souvenir sheet’s uneven black lines suggest clear and rapid rhythm. establishing a vivid, attractive mood.

The postmark is comprised of uneven vertical black lines with varying degrees of density forming the number ‘25”. signifying the 25th anniversary of the Macao International Music Festival.

Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of four stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com quatro séries/Minisheets with four sets of stamps

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Cultural Affairs Bureau (Victor Hugo Marreiros, Leong Chi Hang)

Data emissão/Issue date: 09.10.2011

Impressor/Printer: Joh. Enschedé Security Print, Netherlands

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 14 x 13¼

Welcome the 10000th Visitors

2011-09-24T08:20:00.000+01:00

Aqui ficam as melhores saudações Filatélicas, para os visitantes de todo o mundo, que diariamente visitam o meu blog.

(English version)

Here are the best Philatelic greetings to visitors from all over the world who daily visit my blog.

50th Anniversary of WWF

2011-09-13T20:15:00.000+01:00

2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), an organization of environment protection with global network and influence. For half a century, WWF has been working hard and sticking to the principle of “building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature”, which is the mission of WWF.

World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly referred to as World Wildlife Fund), a non-profit organization, officially founded in 1961 in Gland. Switzerland. 50 years have passed since then. Now, the affiliates and offices of WWF spread to over 100 countries and regions all over the world. ln addition. WWF has worked together with the governments of various countries, non-profit organizations as well as transnational institutions to build an international network for cooperation. Through environmental conservations, ecological footprints, educational projects and collaborations with various parties, WWF puts forward solutions and encourages people on the earth to welcome change with action, so as to achieve the working objectives of “stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment” and “build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature”.

WWF has also strongly supported the development of environment protection in Macao. For example, in 2003, when the Macao Ecological Society was still at its early stage. WWF provided the assistance in research and training. They jointly organized “Seminar on Wetland Ecosystems of Hong Kong and Macao”, “International Seminar on Conservation of Migration Network of East Asia-Australia” and “Scientific Research Activity Concerning General Investigation of Birds in the World”. Through these activities, WWF aims to assist Macao to promote the level of scientific research concerning its environment protection and offer opportunities for Macao to keep pace with international scientific techniques concerning environment protection.

To protect wild animals and plants and to preserve the earth means to protect ourselves. Therefore, Macao Post by issuing 50^th Anniversary of WWP’ intends to introduce local birds to Macao’s citizens and strive to contribute a living Earth.

Light-vented Bu Ihul (Pycnonotus sinensis)

Light-vented Bulbul has been listed in the “Lists of Terrestrial Wildlife under State Protection, which are Beneficial or of important Economic or Scientific Value”. It can be found in Eurasia, North Africa, Indo-China Peninsula, the Yangize River Valley (Basin) of China as well as the vast area of south of Yangtze River and the Pacific Islands. Distinctive traits: The part between the forehead and the top of head is black; a white annulus occipital is formed between the part above the two eyes and the occiput; there is a white spot behind the ear coverts; the upper portion of body is of dust color or olive grey and with green-yellow feather edge; the chin and larynx are white and the chest is of dust color: the belly is white and with green-yellow longitudinal striations. It likes to dwell in hills, hedgerows in flatland as well as thickets in elevations. Sometimes it can be found in coniferous forest. It is vivacious in nature and its birdcall is varied. It falls into the category of polyphagia. It not only eats insects, but also eats vegetative foods, such as cherry, Chinese tallow tree and grape.

During the mating season, it becomes almost insectivorous. This point is of significant meaning in the protection of plants.

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Spotted Dove has been listed in the “Lists of Terrestrial Wildlife under State Protection, which are Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Value”. It can be found in the wide woodlands, agricultural areas and urban areas, etc. in South Asia as well as countries and regions such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Indo-China Peninsula, Indonesia, Australia and the United States.

Distinctive traits: The head is pigeon grey; the upper portion of body is brown: the lower portion of body is pink; the hind neck is black:

The part above the hind neck is studded with speckles formed by white and small spots; the tail is lengthy: the outer feather is black and tan; the edge is white; the beak is darkish brown: the leg is red. lt is a typical tricolors bird. Its habitat is relatively stable. It generally seeks for foods in meadow and farmland. Its main foods include fruits, grains and the seeds of other plants. Sometimes it also preys on insects.

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrvchus sinensis)

Yellow Bittern can be found in Eurasia, North Africa, India, the southwest part and southeast coastal area of China as well as the Pacific Islands. Distinctive traits: The head and neck are black: the hind neck and back are tawny; the belly and wings are earthy yellow.

Ii inhabits in the swamp lands, reeds and leaf of cattail along the mud ponds, lakes and rivers or shrub and tussock on the edge of paddy fields, etc. It builds its nest on the medium and upper parts of leaf of cattail or the edge of reeds near water. It preys on fish, shrimps, frogs and aquatic insects.

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)

Greater Coucal falls into the category 2 of wildlife national protection. Due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction, etc., the feral population of Greater Coucal has dropped drastically. It has been listed in the “China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals” and ranked as one of the susceptible species. It can be found in various provinces and autonomous regions of south of the Yangtze River Valley (Basin) of China as well as India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia, etc. Distinctive traits: Body feathers are almost completely black: only the upper back, wings and wing coverts are purely chestnut red: the beak and leg are black. It likes forest fringe, brushwood of secondary origin, riverside with lots of reeds and mangroves. It usually inhabits in low hills as well as the forest fringe, savanna, brushwood in river valley, tussock as well as reeds in flat areas. It mainly eats insects. lt also preys on invertebrates as well as snakes, lizards, mouse, birds’ eggs and squabs, etc.

Author: Ho Wai Tim

President of Macau Ecological Society

Translation: C&C — Translation Centre, Ud.

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of four stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com quatro séries/Minisheets with four sets

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: with a complete set of stamps at 12.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Macao Post

Data emissão/Issue date: 11.09.2011

Impressor/Printer: Joh. Enschedé Security Print, Netherlands

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 14 x 13¼

Legends and Myths IX – The Legend of the White Snake

2011-07-28T07:43:00.000+01:00

The Legend of the White Snake is one of the four popular folk legends of China. lt was existed by oral tradition and then it developed into storytelling in local dialects, such as Pinghua (narrative singing), Shuoshu (classical instrumental music and narrative) and Tanci (narrative style of singing and instrumental music). After that, it was adopted for drama performance as well as many other ways of interpretation, including novel, opera, cartoon, movie and modern dance, etc. It can he deemed as a typical masterpiece containing the inputs of folk cultures of China all through one thousand years. It was inscribed in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritages List.

The stamp issue “Legends and Myths IX — The Legend of the White Snake” is designed by the Macao famous painter, Poon Kam Ling, it includes six stamps and one souvenir sheet, all with subject matters from the classic plots from the novel.

“Meet when Travelling the Lake” - It tells stories about a while snake who cultivated itself in Mount Emei in Sichuan for a thousand years and turned into a lady with a charming appearance, named Bai Suzhen. She yearned for the prosperous place called Diji and went down the mountain for worldly pleasures together with the green snake, named Xiaoqing. When they went to the scenic West Lake in Hangzhou, they took the same boat with an assistant in an herbal medicine store, named Xu Xian (Xu Xuan), and borrowed an umbrella from him. Lady Bai and Xu Xian fell in love with each other and got married. They were looking forward to a happy and peaceful life in the man’s world.

“Revelation during Duanyang Festival (Dragon Boat)” - Lady Bai and Xu Xian went to Zhenjiang and set up an herbal medicine store “Bao He Tang”, in Xijundu Street. They loved each other and the store became well known. However, Fa Hai, a monk from Jinshan Temple found out Lady Bai was actually a white snake who had cultivated itself for a thousand years. He enticed Xu Xian to give realgar wine to Lady Bai to drink on the Duanyang Festival, it made Lady Bai to reveal her true appearance. Xu Xian was frightened out of his wits and passed out.

“Steal Herb and Save the Husband” - Lady Bai went to the fairyland in Mount Kunlun after traveling across mountains and rivers. She risked her life to steal the celestial herb to save the life of Xu Xian. The god of Mount Kunlun was moved by the true love of Lady Bai and she finally got the ganoderma lucidum and saved Xu Xian.

“Fight between the Dragon and the Snake” - Fa Hai, the monk from Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, only cared who was a human being or a bogy but never cared who was good or evil. He made every endeavour to get Xu Xian and Lady Bai apart. He persuaded Xu Xian to become a monk and then imprisoned him in Jinshan Temple. Lady Bai went to Jinshan Temple to look for her husband and fought with Fa Hai. Lady Bai and Xiaoqing invited black fish spirits, shrimp soldiers and crab generals while Fa Hai turned to the “Dragon King of the East Ocean” and the Third Prince for help. The fight between the dragon and the snake occurred around Jinshan Temple.

“Captive Lady Bai in Pagoda” - In order to break up Xu Xian and Lady Bai, Fa Hai captured Lady Bai one month after she gave the birth to her son with a gold bowl and captive her under Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou.

“Dutiful Son Worshiped the Pagoda” - Xu Shilin (Mengjiao), the son of Lady Bai, grew up and became the Number One Scholar in the National Exam. He went to worship the pagoda and met his mother with cries. Lady Bai was a stylite with a kind heart. She had loved and hated and now been imprisoned under Leifeng Pagoda for over ten years. She had reached the selfless state for her understanding on the life. She asked her son to forget the hatred and become an integrity official, bringing welfare to all people.

“Flooding of the Jinshan Temple” - The expression “Flooding of the Jinshan Temple” has become a popular idiom in China and often is used to describe a huge hood. It’s originated from the Legend of the White Snake. In order to save her husband who was imprisoned in Jinshan Temple, she used magic arts to flood the Jinshaii Temple and numerous shrimp soldiers and crab generals rushed into the temple. Fa Hai had to change his cassock into a long dam to block the water. However, as the dam became higher and longer, the flood also grew up. The purpose for Lady Bai to flood the Jinshan Teiuple was to save her husband and pursue a happy life, so it is also called as “Flooding of the Jinshan Temple with Love”; Fa Hai tried to break up Xu Xian and Lady Bai and finally the gods were angry and people resentful, so it is also called as “Flooding of the Jinshan Temple with Resentment”: Lady Bai was pregnant and afraid that the flood might cause damage to innocent people, so she didn’t defeat Fa Hai. The watching people shed sympathetic tears, making it “Flooding of the Jinshan Temple with Tears”. The river water and tears together became roaring waves, which would flush away the unfairness and praise the true love in the world. As the song sings: “If the water has feelings, flooding the Jinshan Temple please. Leave the true love in the world, even an instant will be warm!”.

Author: Yin Degang

The Stamps:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Maximum Cards

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of 6 stamps of 1.50, 1.50, 2.00, 2.00, 2.50 and 2.50 Patacas

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Poon Kanm Ling

Data emissão/Issue date: 28.07.2011

Impressor/Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13¼ x 13¼

Welcome the 9000th Visitors

2011-06-27T07:40:00.000+01:00

Aqui ficam as melhores saudações Filatélicas, para os visitantes de todo o mundo, que diariamente visitam o meu blog.

(English version)

Here are the best Philatelic greetings to visitors from all over the world who daily visit my blog.

Cantonese Naamyam

2011-05-30T07:26:00.000+01:00

Cantonese Naamvarn (narrative songs)

Brief Introduction to Naantyani - sad and touching song

“Naamyam”, “Wooden Fish”, “Dragon Boat” and “Cantonese Folk Songs” are all Cantonese dialect folk songs formed by narrative singing. The linguistic characters of Cantonese dialect originated from the central plains of China (especially the Henan Province, which is traditionally considered as the cradle of Chinese civilization), and has retained the original nine tones and was registered in ancient poetry and books. The structure of “Naamyain” strictly follows the seven syllable and rhyme requirements of ancient Chinese poetry. Classic pieces include Ye Tingrui’s “Wayfarer’s Autumn Lainent” from the Qianlong period: l-le Weiqun’s “Nocturnal Lament”:

Zhao Ziyong’s “Diao Qiu Xi” and “Quit Your Soul’s Sorrow”, as well as ‘Nan Shao Yi”, “JI Xiao Xiang”, and “The Magic Jade Fan”, written by unknown authors (luring the Jiaqing period. All of the authors were accomplished scholars who had taken the imperial examinations. Although most Naaniyam songs were composed in brothels or night clubs, they still convey a sense of loss, melancholy and gut-wrenching emotion. The songs also have patriotic undertones, with performers singing it quietly in a romantic style. On the other hand, Dingban (a method to indicate rhythm in Naamyam) requires precision, but allows for more freedom in singing articulation.
Naamyam is influenced by Tang poems, but different from the “Long-Short Sentence” style of the Song Dynasty, integrated in the singing techniques of Kunqu Opera and Beijing Opera.

The “Wooden fish book” texts were printed at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and have since evolved into different types of singing such as “dragon boat” “Naarnyam” and “Cantonese Folk Songs” during the Qing Dynasty, with hundreds of bookshops estimated to have published thousands of different printed texts. These printed texts would usually only have only recorded the lyrics, hut not the tune, although SOII1C also included the narrative singing scripts. Each textual unit in a Naamyam song is a quatrain, with each line containing seven syllables. The final syllable in the first and third line of each quatrain must end with an oblique tone, the second line (known as upper line) must end with an upper even tone and the fourth line (known as lower line) must end with a lower even tone. As repeating those rhythms were like the governing linguistic tones in the Tang Dynasty, famous Naaniyani accents, such as “Theng Xian”, “Yi Fan”, “Pao Zhou”, “Li Hun” and “Liu Shui” could be perfectly presented, with “Pao Zhou”, which has a bitter tune, sung from the throat, being the most touching one.

Naamyam styles can be divided into: Dai Sui Naamyam, Xi Neng Naamyain and hei Toi Naamyain, each with their own unique styles. It is also distinguished by the singer, the performance venues or audience and performances given by blind singers, actresses, during home celebrations, on the streets, in taverns and on song boats will all have unique features. Moreover, depending on the size of the group, the singing could be accompanied by the Yanqin (hammered dulcimer), the Yehu (coconut-shelled lute), the San-i-Isuan tïddle, the Xiao (vertical end-blown flute), the Pipa (seven-stringed Chinese lute), the Qinqin (three-stringed Chinese lute) or the Ban (wooden clapper percussion instrument). The instruments could be played by the singer, or by fellow musicians, not all of whom were blind. Young blind girls were trained by their masters to be musicians capable of both singing and playing instruments at the same lime. With the development of society and the economy, the ways of entertainment become varied. Away from brothels or night clubs, Naamyam singers would also be invited to perform in events such as weddings, celebrations or funerals. As Naaniyam singers were mostly blind, they could sing among women in rich families.

On the other hand, there was a big difference in the way the careers of the Naamyam blind musicians in Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China developed. Singers from Mainland China would dedicate themselves to the pursuit of excellence in singing technique, opting to keep to strictly defined standards. In contrast, Hong Kong and Macao were capable of broadcasting long-tenu radio programs dedicated to Naanmyani songs. The popularity of blind musicians in Hong Kong and Macao was consequently widespread, with some artists even releasing records of their own.

Even though the boom period of Naamyam has long gone, several celebrities and communities have been working tirelessly to save the ancient tradition of Naamyam. With the assistance of Macao SAR, Naamyam was recently inscribed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list. “Naamyamn” has become a unique item in the culture of Macao.

Author Chan Chi Vai

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: 4 stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.00 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com quatro séries/Minisheets with four sets

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Chan Chi Vai

Data emissão/Issue date: 30.05.2011

Impressor/Printer: Cartor Printing Security, France

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13¼ x 13¼

Public Buildings and Monuments

2011-04-18T19:55:00.000+01:00

Public Buildings and Monuments

Besides the "Historic Center of Macao", recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Macao has several buildings of renowned patrimonial value, built during the I9"' century and early 20th century.

The concern in preserving such buildings includes giving them a dynamic use, installing therein governmental organisms or institutions of cultural or philanthropic nature. Keeping the elegance and splendor that make them very special architectonic pieces, the buildings continue alive in spite of the centuries, lending their dignity to the purpose for which they are used.

This "Public Buildings and Monuments" philatelic collection includes the palace that serves as the Government Headquarters of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the "White House" or "Convent of the Precious Blood" as it became to be known as headquarters to the Monetary Authority of Macao, the Holy House of Mercy Hospice of Macao and the group of buildings at Avenida da República where the Macao Foundation is installed.

Government Headquarters - The Government headquarters of the MSAR is installed in a palace commissioned in 1849 by the Baron of Cercal, having been designed by the Macanese architect José Agostinho Tomas de Aquino. In 1881, the Baron of Cercal’s widow is forced to alienate the palace that is bought, in public auction, by the Governor José Joaquim da Graça for 21,000 Patacas. Two years later, the Govemor Tomas dc Sousa Rosa adopts the palace as official residence, a situation that is maintained until 1937, with the transfer to the Santa Sancha mansion. The building underwent several restorations and alterations that along the years would change significantly its original aspect, with the last restorations taking place in 1983 and 2000, a year when several modifications were made to its interior. Headquarters of the Government since 1937, the palace hosted also in its ground floor, from 1976 to 1999, the Legislative Assembly.

Monetary Authority - The mansion that integrates the group of buildings - headquarters of the Monetary Authority of Macao — was built in 1917, designed by the architect John Lemm, to be the residence of Luis Nolasco da Silva, a Macanese lawyer. The "White House" as it was then called, is part of a group of classified buildings in the São Januário/Guia Hill, together with the house of Dr. Silva Mendes and the Ling Nam School. Between the 30’s and 40’s of the 20"` century, the mansion was purchased by the Sisters of the Precious Blood to install that religious community, reason why the building is more known as "Convent of the Precious Blood". The building, of great elegance, presents a blend of styles (gothic, baroque, victorian) and is valorised with a stone courtyard and a garden.

Holy House of Mercy Hospice - The Holy House of Mercy Hospice of Macao is located in Sao Lázaro district, having been designed in the beginning of the 20th century and considered the first urbanization experience, mainly in terms of social welfare structure. In fact, the name of the district derives from — at the time of the Holy House of Mercy of Macao creation by the end of the 16th century — a lazaretto existing therein. Without any written records, is known that, by the end of the 19th century a Chinese philanthropist donated the land for the construction of a hospice for old women, what occurred between that date and the beginning of the 20th century. The buildings that form the hospice were built by phases. The first, alter the donation of the land, and the second and third, between 1910 and I940. By the middle of 2000, the Hospice ceased to be used as an asylum for old people, having its residents been transferred to a new building. In the beginning of the 21S' century, the Hospice was totally recovered and is used now as a cultural and creative space.

Macao Foundation - A vast parcel of land, with about 40,000 square meters, where the group of buildings exist, at 6, Avenida da República, which has been operating as the Macao Foundation headquarters, was purchased from William Herbert Dent, in 1923, by the Public Treasury (the organism that preceded the Finance Department). The date of the buildings construction is unknown but photographic documentation from that time reveals that in 1900 the land didn’t had any constructions while photos of 1915 show the group of buildings operating as a Fire Station and Police Station. In 1980, following the creation of the Issuing Institute, the buildings are recovered and underwent small alterations. The smallest building is demolished (eventually a guardhouse), and eliminated a gate and a metallic fence that blocked the access to the inside. The building that flanks Calcada da Praia becomes the main building and a door is open therein and included a staircase with stone columns that give the dignity to the entry that still presents today. During the 80’s the group served as the Issuing Institute headquarters and, since the 90’s hosts the Macao Foundation, maintaining the same visual until now.

Author: Rogério Beltrao Coelho

Translation: C&C - Translation Centre, Ltd.

The Stamps:

The FDC with Stamps:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: stamps of 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.00 Patacas

Folhas/Sheets: 4 sheets with 50 stamps each

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value:

Desenho/Design: António Conceição Júnior

Data emissão/Issue date: 19.04.2011

Impressor/Printer: Österreichische Staatsdruckerei, Austria

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 14 x 14

The National Geographic Magazine (Portugal)

2011-04-17T12:14:00.000+01:00

The National Geographic magazine in its Portuguese edition launched in the last month of March a special 50 pages supplement entirely dedicated to the SAR of Macao.

Welcome the 8000th Visitors

2011-03-12T16:09:00.002Z

Aqui ficam as melhores saudações Filatélicas, para os visitantes de todo o mundo, que diariamente visitam o meu blog.

(English version)

Here are the best Philatelic greetings to visitors from all over the world who daily visit my blog.

Mainland Scenery IV

2011-03-01T13:46:00.000Z

Located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province, covering a land area of over 1,700 square kilometers and having a total population of about 370,000, Fenghuang County is a minority habitation area with most people from Miao and Tujia nationalities. The Ancient Fenghuang Town was first established in 1704 (the forty-third year of Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynasty) with the name of Zhengancheng, which was changed as Fenghuangting. In the time of the Republic of China, it was changed as Fenghuang County, which has been used till now.

On December 17, 2001, the Ancient Fenghuang Town was recognized by the State Council as one of the historic cities of China and, in 2008, it was classified as a 4ANational Scenic Area.

The beauty of Fenghuang exists in its natural landscape, among the outstanding people and the genuine kindness and modesty of its people.

When rambling around in the ancient town, we find the ancient street paved with bluestones is the central axis of the entire town and connects to numerous lanes, along which, there are silent ancient houses. Each of such houses carries a detail of the story about the ancient town.

Following the sound of water and going across the alleys, we see the Tuo River flowing slowly in front of us. It’s the mother river of the Ancient Fenghuang Town and has been feeding generations of people in this ancient town. Along the river, we can see local residents here or there, waving the mallets in their hands, patting on the clothes they are washing; the stone platform under the single-plank bridge leading to Beimen Wharf is often overcrowded. Plastic tubs, plastic buckets, bamboo baskets of all sizes and all kinds of clothes decorate the water surface with different colors. The sound of cleaning movement falls here and then rises there, even attracting tourists around. Not far away from the single-plank bridge, there are a series of hop rocks, which provide another passage to go across the river. A series of square seat stones are listed in two lines, one higher and the other shorter, with river water flowing through the spaces between the stones, so that this passage will never be punched down by the flood like the single-plank bridge. Stepping on the hop rocks and going across the river, we reach the other side of the river, the ancient Beimen Town which was first established in Ming Dynasty. The walls of the town were built with local red sands stones and the gate tower was built with black bricks. The entire building was delicately constructed, with the functions of military defence as well as flood protection, making it a solid protective barrier of the Ancient Fenghuang Town.

When walking around on the ancient paved Street with a ticket for the scenic spot in our hands, we can visit the former residence of the famous writer Shen Congwen, the former residence of Xiong XiIing, the ancestral hail of Yang’s clan, which is a delicately constructed wood-structure quadrangle courtyard (Siheyuan) with strong folk features, the Ancient Town Museum and the Wanshou Palace. We can also enjoy the scenery of the whole Fenghuang County in the Hongqiao Art Tower. If you are still not satisfied with all these, you can also find the underground palace of art, Qiliang Cave, the ancient Huangsiqiao Town established in Tang Dynasty and the southern great wall constructed in Ming Dynasty, etc. around the ancient town. The pearl of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, which is known as one of the most beautiful towns of China, is awaiting here for tourist from all places.

Author: Lou Kam leng

Translation: C&C — Translation Center, Ltd.

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: 1 stamp of 10.00 Patacas in souvenir sheet

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Lou Kam Ieng (Adapt. Macao Post)

Data emissão/Issue date: 01.03.2011

Impressor/Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13¼ x 13¼

Lunar Year of the Rabbit

2011-01-09T21:35:00.000Z

Ano Lunar do Coelho

Sobre os “Cinco Coelhos”

Em relação aos atributos dos Cinco Elementos, há duas explicações sobre a sua determinação:

a primeira refere-se às “Hastes Celestes” de cada ano, a segunda aos Sons fonéticos especIficos (nà yin) dos Cinco Elernentos, os quais são calculados com base nas “Hastes Celestes” e nos “Ramos Terrestres”.

Atributos dos Cinco Coelhos, se calculados segundo a fórmula das “Hastes Celestes”:

“Coelho de Metal”: Ano de Xinmao (Xin pertence a Metal) 2011, 1951

“Coelho de Terra”: Ano de Jimao (Ji pertence a Terra) 1999, 1939

“Coelbo de Fogo”: Ano de Dingmao (Ding pertence a Fogo) 1987, 1927

“Coelho de Madeira”: Ano de Yimao (Yi pertence a Madeira) 1975, 1915

“Coelho de Agua”: Ano de Guimao (Gui pertence a Agua) 1963, 1903

Atributos dos Cinco Coelhos e suas mnemónicas segundo a fórmula nà yin dos Cinco Elementos:

“Coelho de Madeira”: Ano de Xinmao: Xinmao - madeira de pinheiro 2011, 1951

“Coelho de Terra”: Ano de Jimao: Jimao - terra do cimo da muralha 1999, 1939

“Coelho de Fogo”: Ano de Dingmao: Dingmao - fogo do fomo 1987, 1927

“Coelho de Agua”: Ano de Yimao; Yimao - água do grande rio 1975, 1915

“Coelho de Metal”: Ano de Guimao: Guimao - ouro da folha de metal 1963, 1903

Tendo em conta que este “Ano Lunar do Coelho”, de entre os “Cinco Elernentos”, corresponde ao “Coelho de Metal”, será este elemento o foco principal da emissão dos cinco novos selos.

Nesta quarta série de emissões filatélicas do Ano Lunar, lançada pelos Correios de Macau, foi utilizada a fórmula das “Hastes Celestes” para calcular os atributos dos “Cinco Elementos”.

“Coelho de Metal” - O Coelho de Metal pertence ao género “coelho da lua”. É um coelho “popular”, possui todas as qualidades para ser bem aceite pelos outros: de bom coração, dinâmico e alegre. Quem se associa a ele tem a sensação de uma “suave brisa da primavera”, pois faz que quem está á sua volta se sinta confortável e bem disposto. Como este coelho sempre toma a iniciativa, é ousado no amor, com um encanto especial junto do sexo oposto, sendo, assim, muito fácil para ele conquistar o amor. Além de ser cortês, o Coelho de Metal tern também uma imaginação fértil. Não se contentando com a vulgaridade, procura ser original.

“Coelho de Terra” - O Coelho de Terra pertence ao género “coelho doméstico”. É um coelho “ambicioso”, com espirito aventureiro e empreendedor, ambicioso, dedicado e agressivo no trabalho, procura a perfeição até nos pormenores, e é cheio de energia. Por outro lado, é franco e directo, com muita confiança em si próprio, dando, por isso, a sensação de ser arrogante. Na realidade, o Coelho de Terra trata todos por igual, sem distinções, sendo rico ou pobre, superior ou inferior, sendo sempre afável e acessivel.

Coelho de Fogo” - O Coelho de Fogo pertence ao género “coelho selvagem”. É um “Iíder nato”, generoso, com visão. sabendo aproveitar o melhor de cada um dos seus subordinados. Com carisma e poder de influência sobre os outros, é um líder natural. Como é dedicado, ambicioso e exigente no trabalho, muitas vezes, involuntariamente, pressiona os outros a sua volta e dá a sensação de arrogância.

CoeIho de Madeira” - O Coelho de Madeira pertence ao género “coelho astucioso”. É um “actor” com duas faces, muito inteligente e flexível, cheio de ideias e truques. Apesar da aparência alegre e aberta, é calmo e cauteloso, não se revelando aos outros. Não gosta de solidão, é persistente nas relações amorosas, podendo assim sofrer grande instabilidade emocional. O Coelho de Madeira tem a sorte de receber fortunas inesperadas.

“Coelho de Agua” - O Coelho de Água pertence ao género “coelho de jade”. É um coelho “despreocupado”, que não se liga a nada. Com carácter suave e calmo, gosta de se divertir, adapta-se às circunstâncias para não ter preocupações. É passivo e todas as coisas do mundo não têm importância para ele, por isso, mesmo enfrentando dificuldades, encara-as com calma. sem preocupação ou esforço que ponham em causa a sua serenidade. Como não tem os seus próprios princípios para lidar com os assuntos, é facilmente influenciado por outros, embora também tenha a sorte de encontrar “homens nobres”.

Autor: Lawrence Lei

Tradutor: Lai Jung Liang

Direcço dos Serviços de Correios

Lunar Year of the Rabbit

About the “Five Rabbits”

There are two kinds of theories about the attributes of the Five Elements in each year: one saying is dependent on the ‘Heavenly Stems” while the other is based on the sound retainers of the Five Elements, which are calculated by “Heavenly Stems” and the “Earthly Branches”.

If calculated by “Heavenly Stems”, the rabbit’s nature for the Five Elements is as follows:

“Metal Rabbit”: Xinmao Year (Xin belongs to Metal) 2011, 1951

“Earth Rabbit”: JirnaoYear (ii belongs to Earth) 1999, 1939

“Fire Rabbit”: Dingrnao Year (Ding belongs to Fire) 1987, 1927

“Wood Rabbit”: Yi,nao Year (Yi belongs to Wood) 1975, 1915

“Water Rabbit”: Guimao Year (Gui belongs to Water) 1963, 1903

If based on the sound retainers of the Five Elements, the rabbit’s nature for the Five Elements and their mnemonics are as follows:

“Wood Rabbit”: Xinrnao Year Xinmao — conifer wood 2011, 1951

“Earth Rabbit”: Jimao Year Jimao — earthen top city 1999, 1939

“Fire Rabbit”: Dingmao Year Dingmao — fire in furnace 1987, 1927

“Water Rabbit”: Yiinao Year Yimao — grand river 1975, 1915

“Metal Rabbit”: Guimao Year Guimao — gold foil 1963, 1903

The Macao Post adopted the “Heavenly Stems” calculation method to figure out the nature of the “Five Elements” in the third series of Chinese Zodiac stamps. This year, the rabbit’s nature from the “Five Elements” is “Metal Rabbit”, so it becomes the main character of the five stamps.

“Metal Rabbit” - The Metal Rabbit is a kind of “moon rabbit”, which is “popular” among all rabbits. He has all characteristics for good interpersonal relationship: kind, warm-hearted and open, always likes a breath of fresh air for people contacting with him and making them comfortable and pleased. Since he has an initiative personality and is brave for love, he often exerts a special charm for the opposite sex. For this reason, it’s easier for him to gain the heart of his lover. Besides being popular and respected, the Metal Rabbit also has rich and extraordinary imagination and loves to be marvelous and outstanding.

“Earth Rabbit” - The Earth Rabbit is a kind of “domestic rabbit”, which is a member of the “ambitious” rabbits and has the adventurous and aggressive characteristics. He has a grand prospect for the future and strong enterprising spirit. He is meticulous and always has strong confidence for his work. With a frank, straightforward and confident personality, he seems to be proud and arrogant. However, as a matter of fact, the Earth Rabbit treats all people and things equally without discrimination, being amiable for both the rich and the poor.

“Fire Rabbit” - The Fire Rabbit is a kind of “wild rabbit” and a member of the rabbits “born to be leaders”. He has all features of a “big brother”: generosity, broad vision, the ability of picking the right person for the right job, charisma and great influence on common people. He is born to the leader. Since he is careful for everything and keeps a higher ideal and requirements than others, he often brings intangible pressure on people around him and gives them the feeling of a pretty remote tigure.

“Wood Rabbit” - i’he Wood Rabbit is a kind of “foxy rabbit”. He is a “good actor” and can be called as a rabbit with two faces. He is clever and smart with plenty of ideas. He is good at covering himself and does not like to express the actual self. Though lie shows an active and open appearance, the inner part is often calm and apprehensive. He likes a boisterous environment, is single-minded for love-related affairs and often has big emotional fluctuations. The Wood Rabbit can often get unexpected fortunes.

“Water Rabbit” - The Water Rabbit is a kind of “jade rabbit”. He is an “easy-going” rabbit who “purses peace and happiness only”. He has a mild personality, loves enjoyment and yearns for an easy life. He can get adapted in any environment. The Water Rabbit is passive and does not care too much for anything. Even in case of difficulty, he can keep calm and never embarrass himself. He does not keep any strong principle for things and is easy to be affected, but he also often meets noble and helpful persons.

Author: Lawrence Lei

Translation: C&C — Translation Centre, Ltd.

The Stamps:

The Sheetlet:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: 4 stamps of 1.50 Patacas and one of 5.00 Patacas

Folhas Miniatura com cinco séries/Minisheets with five sets

Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Wilson Chi Ian Lam

Data emissão/Issue date: 05.01.2011

Impressor/Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography with Embossing and Hot Foil Stamping with Gold and Holographic

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 13¼ x 13¼

Giant Pandas

2011-01-02T10:46:00.004Z

Pandas Gigantes

No dia 19 de Dezembro de 2009, por ocasião da comemoração do 10º aniversário do estabelecimento da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau, o Presidente Hu Jintao anunciou que o Governo Central decidira oferecer à Região Administrativa Especial de Macau um casal de pandas gigantes, transmitindo desejos de boa sorte do povo Chinês, como complemento à riqueza e alegria de Macau.

O panda gigante, considerado um fóssil vivo” do mundo animal é um tesouro nacional da China, é um símbolo de paz, harmonia e amizade. Todos os povos, sem excepção, admiram o seu belo porte. a sua encantadora fisionomia, o carácter meigo e o grande e particular valor que representa para os estudos científicos.

O casal de pandas gigantes, que virá a fixar residência em Macau, foi seleccionado por especialistas na Base de Estudos de Procriação de Pandas Gigantes de Chengdu, com os números genealógicos 717 (macho) e 710 (fêmea). Este casal, cujos progenitores possuem grande capacidade de adaptaçâo e de reproduçao, dá a esperança de, no futuro, poder vir a procriar em Macau. O panda gigante 717, do sexo masculino, cujo nome, à nascenca, era Shuxiang, nasceu a 4 de Agosto de 2008, com 158g de peso; o panda gigante 710, do sexo ferninino, apelidado então de Qimiao, nasceu a 26 de Juiho de 2008, com 132g de peso. Aquando da sua selecção, pesavam, respectivamente, 58 e 48 kg. Apesar de terem a mesma idade e constituição física semeihante, ambos se distinguem pelas características e carácter que revelarn. Shuxiang, de orelhas grandes e direitas e urn rosto redondo, com o nariz mais escuro que o normal, evidência urn carácter muito activo, sociável e brincalhão; Qirniao, de nariz largo e manchas pretas nos olhos em forma de gotas de água, é dócil, calma e agradável.

Para preparar o acto de oferta dos pandas gigantes pelo Governo Central, de grande simbolismo para a Região Administrativa Especial de Macau, em Junho de 2010, a RAEM promoveu o concurso “Atribuiçao de nomes aos pandas gigantes”, dando oportunidade à população de Macau de prôpor os nomes que mais Ihe agradassern. Após uma avaliação preliminar independente e uma apreciação conjunta, realizadas pela “Cornissão de Avaliação dos Nomes dos Pandas oferecidos pelo Governo Central à RAEM” que o Chefe do Executivo entretanto constítuira, integrando especialistas na matéria, forarn seleccionados cinco pares de nomes, de onde saiu, por votação dos cidadãos de Macau, o par de nomes atribuidos a este simpático casal.

O concurso “Atribuição de nomes aos pandas gigantes” provocou um grande entusiasmo junto da população de Macau, que prontamente aderiu a esta iniciativa com mais de 4.000 nomes propostos. Cinquenta e seis mil cidadãos participaram na votação, quarenta por cento dos quais votaram nos nomes “Kai Kai” e “Xin Xin” para o panda gigante macho e fémea, respectivamente. Os nomes “Kai Kai” e “Xin Xin” demonstram a alegria da RAEM por esta singular oferta do Governo Central. Ao baptizar o casal de pandas com estes nomes, não só se escolheu um par de nomes fácil de memorizar, como também lhes soam agradáveis ao ouvido. A combinação dos nomes significa também o desejo da população de que os pandas venham a ser felizes em Macau e, bem assim, todos os seus cidadãos, como os sons dos nomes parecem repercutir.

A oferta de um casal de pandas gigantes pelo Govemo Central à RAEM simboliza a estima que o Estado nutre por toda a população de Macau. A Direcção dos Serviços de Correios lançou uma emissão de selos subordinada ao tema ‘Pandas Gigantes”, retratando a graciosidade de Kai Kai e Xin Xin.

Instituto para Os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais

Mais Informação aqui.

Giant Pandas

At the ceremony in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region on 19 December 2009, President Hu Jintao announced that the Central Government had decided to send a couple of giant pandas to Macao SAR as tokens of goodwill from the motherland, in complement of Macao’s fortune and joy.

Giant pandas are thought of in scientific terms as “living fossils” of the animal kingdom. They are national treasures of China, widely regarded as a symbol of peace, harmony and friendliness. Their fascinating moves, lovely appearance, docile disposition and unique value to sciences make them universally lovable. Selected by experts, the pair of giant pandas coming to Macao is a male and a female code-named 717 and 710 respectively, bred in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Descendants of a notable species known for being very adaptive and productive, the pandas are expected to have cubs in the years to come, after settling down in Macao.

Born on 4 August and 26 July 2008 respectively, the male panda (code name: 717; infant name: Shuxiang) weighed 158g and the female (code name: 710; infant name: Qimiao) 132g at birth; they weighed 58kg and 48kg respectively when selected. Born in the same year and physically similar, they have distinct characteristics and disposition. Shuxiang has a round face, big-pointed-flanking ears and a nose ridge darker coloured than normal. He is active and likes to mingle with others. Qirniao, on the other hand, has a broad nose ridge and water-drop-shaped black eye patches. She is docile, cuddly and adorable.

To prepare for the arrival of the couple of giant pandas to be sent by the Central Government to Macao, the Macao SAR held a “Giant Panda Naming Contest” in June 2010, inviting Macao residents to offer panda name suggestions. The “Judging Committee for the Naming Contest of the Giant Pandas offered by the Central Government to the Macao SAR”, including expert panelists appointed by the Chief Executive, reviewed the name suggestions outstanding names, from which one pair will be chosen by resident ballot as the official names of the pandas. The Giant Panda Naming Contest, widely supported by Macao citizens, received some 4,000 name contributions. Of the 56,000 citizens who voted in the ballot, more than 40% chose “Kai Kai” and “Xin Xin” as the names of the couple of giant pandas coming to Macao. These names are preferred for their simplicity, catchiness and merriment to the ear. In combination, the names form a straightforward expression of the delight of the Macao SAR in receiving the giant pandas from the Central Government. The names also embody Macao citizens’ wish that the pair of national treasures be happy living in Macao and that all Macao citizens be as happy as the pandas’ names sound.

The presents from the Central Government are symbolic of our nation caring for the residents in the Macao SAR. The Macao Post released its giant-panda-themed stamps series featuring the charm of the national treasures — “Kai Kai” and “Xin Xin”.

Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau

More information here.

The Stamps:

The Souvenir Sheet:

The FDC with Stamps:

The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data
Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: 1.50 and 5.00 Patacas
Folhas com 50 selos cada valor/Sheets with 50 stamps of each value
Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas
Desenho/Design: Thomas Au Man Hou
Data emissão/Issue date: 18.12.2010 Impressor/Printer: Beijing, PSPH
Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography
Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers
Picotagem/Perforation: 13.33 x 13

Plano de Emissões para 2011 / 2011 Issue Plan

2011-01-01T17:53:00.004Z

Janeiro / Januray
Ano Lunar do Coelho
Lunar Year of the Rabbit

Março / March
Vistas Cénicas do Continente IV
Mainland Scenary IV

Abril / April
Edifícios Públicos e Monumentos de Macau
Public Buildings and Monuments of Macao

Maio / May
Canções Narrativas (Naamyam Cantonense)
Narrative Songs (Cantonese Maamyam)

Julho / July
Lendas e Mitos IX – Lenda da Cobra Branca
Legends and Myths IX – The Legend of the White Snake

Setembro / September
50º Aniversário da WWF
50º Anniversary of the WWF

Outubro / October
Figuras da História de Macau
Historic Figures of Macao

Centenário da Revolução de Xinhai
Centenary of Xinhai Revolution

140º Aniversário do Estabelecimento do Hospital de Kiang Wu
140º Anniversary of the Establishment of the Kiang Wu Hospital

(Sem data de emissão definida / Issue date to be defined)
25º Aniversário do Festival Internacional de Música de Macau
25º Anniversary of Macao International Music Festival

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T19:23:00.002Z

I would like to wish You, Your Families and Friends a Happy New Year.

That 2011 can bring you all Good Health, Happiness, Success and Joy.

Welcome the 7000th Visitors

2010-12-28T08:03:00.001Z

Season’s Greetings Postcard from Macao Post Philately Division

2010-12-20T22:08:00.002Z

Traditional Folk Costumes

2010-11-30T21:09:00.005Z

Trajes Folclóricos Tradicionais
Como diz o poema, “gostaria de pedir emprestadas ao céu nuvens coloridas e com elas fazer maravilhosos trajes bordados”. Os trajes chineses são parte da cultura chinesa. A história do traje chinês reflecte o processo de evolução e progresso da sociedade. Na China Antiga, os imperadores mantinham o sistema hierárquico feudal ligado a um sistema de trajes. Os trajes reflectiam a situação política, económica, cultural, tradicional, estética e religiosa e demonstravarn os padrões sociais de cada época. Quem pôs fim a esta filosofia política baseada no traje foi Sun lat Sen ao instaurar quatro princípios para a confecção do vestuário: ser higiénico, prático, económico e bonito. Desde então, o vestuário, parte integrante da vida do povo, ficou livre das intervenções do sistema político de classes e integrou-se na civilização moderna. Esta medida constitui urn marco na história do traje chinês.

Tangzhuang (Túnica masculina, curta ou comprida), um traje com origem na Dinastia Tang, da etnia Han, passou mais tarde a significar o vestuário usado por chineses a viver no estrangeiro (Chinatowns), e que se distingue dos fatos ocidentais. O Tangzhuang sofreu posteriormente adaptações do vestuário da etnia Man, Dinastia Qing, chamado “Magua”, abotoado à frente com alamares chineses, gola alta e quatro bolsos de chapa; é normalmente confeccionado numa seda negra chamada “Gensa”, que absorve e evapora rapidamente o suor, um material fresco e leve, muito utilizado pelos chineses do sul (cantonenses) e por chineses que vivem no sudeste asiático. De aspecto uniforme e equilibrado, o traje é simples e cuidado, correspondendo a personalidade discreta do povo chinês. Em 2001, aquando da organizaçáo da Reunião da APEC em Xangai, a China, enquanto anfitrião, convidou os lideres dos paises membros da Organização para a Cooperação Económica da Asia-Pacífico a vestirem uma destas túnicas de estilo Tangzhuang. tendo como padrão a flor nacional da China - a Peônia - simbolo de Harmonia e Felicidade. Na confecção destes trajes foram utilizados materiais amigos do ambiente, entre o cetim brocado e a seda natural, e corantes ecológicos na sua estampagem e tingimento. Desde então, este traje Tangzhuang e suas variantes tornaram-se um traje de moda para usar durane os dias festivos do ano novo lunar, muito popular entre os chineses, incluindo os da diáspora.

Qipao (Cabaia) um vestido tradicional das mulheres chinesas, corn origem nos trajes das mulberes Man da Dinaslia Qing, comprido e solto, com cercaduras bordadas e mangas largas. Nos primeiros anos da República da China o seu design foi gradualmente alterado, com corte solto, tornando-se um traje de moda para as mulheres modemas. Em 1929, o govemo da República da China promulgou o Regulamento dos Uniformes, definindo a cabaia como um dos trajes formais da nação. As características da nova cabaia passaram a ser de gola alta, cintura apertada. botôes chineses e aberturas laterais na saia. O Qipao destaca rnelhor as linhas da muiher oriental e torna-a mais elegante, adicionando urn toque artístico de charme. Quando uma mulher, vestindo uma cabaia, está parada, parece delgada, quando se movimenta, mostra a sua elegância. A Cabaia tornou-se o traje que melhor simboliza a mulher chinesa. Este traje foi também introduzido no Vietname, no Século XVIII, e aí foi evoluindo para o traje nacional local, o Qipao vietnamita. Algumas figuras proeminentes, como Soong Qingling, mulher de Sun lat Sen, e Soong Meiling, mulher de Chiang Kal Shek, vestirarn toda a vida este traje, e as mulheres dos lideres da China Continental de várias gerações vestiram sempre este traje nas suas visitas ao estrangeiro, nomeadamente as senhoras de Liu Shaoqi, Jiang Zemin e Hu Jintao.

Duanyichangqun (Blusa Curta e Saia Longa) é um dos trajes tradicionais das mulheres Han. Antes da Dinastia Qin, os trajes na China eram de uma peça única, uma túnica solta com mangas compridas. A partir da dinastia Han, surge um tipo de vestuário com duas peças, constituido por blusa curta e saia comprida e folgada. Durante a dinastia Tang tornou-se moda vestidos com a gola solta, deixando exposta a parte superior do peito, mas nas dinastias Song, Yuan e Ming, o traje das mulheres voltou a adoptar o estilo antigo. Com a entrada do exército Qing e a imposição da política “corte de cabelo e mudança de traje”, os tradicionais trajes Han foram quase proibidos. Mulheres Man vestiam-se de cabaia enquanto mulheres Han vestiam “saia e blusa” de mangas apertadas e saia longa, ou túnica solta e mangas soltas, ou substituindo a saia par calças. Após a revolução Xinhai (também conhecida por Revolução de 1911), as mulheres passaram a ter mais oportunidades de instrução. Durante o período da República da China, o vestuário típico das estudantes era constituido por uma blusa com abertura obliqua e mangas curtas, e uma saia plissada até meio da pema, ficando conhecido como “novo traje civilizado”. De estilo simples e confortável, as mulheres da cidade passaram a vestir-se todas de maneira semelhante, tomando-se, na época, o vestuário mais popular e modemo.

Zhongsanzhuang (Fato Sun lat Sen), considerado no passado um “traje nacional”. De acordo com registos históricos, Sun lat Sen orientou pessoalmente o design deste fato chinês, integrando detalhes dos trajes tradicionais, em particular dos fatos com gola de mandarim usados no sudeste asiático e dos fatos de estilo ocidental, aplicando os principios “higiénico, confortável, económico e de aparência decente”. O design foi finalmente decidido em 1923. 0 fato corresponde aos padrães apresentados por Sun lat Sen: decente, prático, conveniente e económico. Além de ser confortável e prático, tem uma aparência sóbria e digna. Os quatro bolsos frontais significam os Quatro Vínculos Sociais da nação - “decoro, rectidão, honestidade e senso de vergonha” Os cinco botões da abertura significam a Divisão dos Cinco Poderes (administração, legislação, jurisdição, exame e supervisão); os três botões no punho significarn Os Três Princípios do Povo (nacionalismo, democracia e sustento do povo); sem abertura nas costas, significa a grande causa da paz e unificação da nação; o colarinho virado para baixo significa a rigorosa filosofia da administração nacional. Muitas figuras proeminentes, como Chiang Kai Shek, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlal e Deng Xiaoping costumavam vestir-se com este modelo de fato, que carrega em si cultura, cortesia, autoestima e orguiho nacional.

Autor: Kam Chung Tsz
Tradutor: André das Dores Cordeiro Direcção dos Serviços de Correios

Traditional Folk Costumes
As the poem says, I’d like to borrow rosy clouds from the sky and make them into the beautiful embroidery clothes. The Chinese costumes have a long history and constitute an integral part of the splendid Chinese culture, which can reflect the development progress of human history and show the advancement of human society. In ancient China, the emperors relied on the costume system to maintain the feudal hierarchy regimen. It reflected the social situations on political, economic, cultural, custom, aesthetic and religious issues in each era. Such a costume-based political philosophy came to the end when Mr. Sun Yat Sen raised the four principles for dress making “hygienic, practical, economic and aesthetic”. Since then, costume, which had become an integral part of people’s life, got rid of the interference from the hierarchy system and polirical ethics and really connected with modern civilization, That is a monument in the history of Chinese costume.

Tangzhuang (fang suit), it used to refer to Han costume in Tang Dynasty and later specially refers to a kind of traditional Chinese costume that the Chinese living in overseas Chinatowns often wear and is opposite to Western-style suit. In early times, the Tang suit was reformed from a kind of Man costume in Qing Dynasty, mandarin jacket, which was featured with stand collars, front opening, connected sleeves and frogs and had four coverless pockets in the front. Such suit is often made of black gambiered canton gauze (also called as rust-coloured senshaw, black rubber silk fabric or watered gauze), which can absorb and evaporate sweat quickly and thus has the features of refreshing, dry, light and practical. It is especially popular among Southeast Asian Chinese and Cantonese. With even and balanced appearance, it’s simple and tidy, fully meeting the introverted and sober characters of Chinese people. En the APEC 2001 in Shanghai, as the host, Chinese leaders invited the leaders of economic entities in Asia and Pacific region who came to attend the conference to wear the new-style “Peace and Celebration” Tang suits. The suits are made of environment-friendly and traditional tapestry satin and natural silk and then dyed with environment-friendly dyes in the patterns of peony, the national flower of China. Since then, such Tang suits and their variants get popular among Chinese people both in and out of the country and become a kind of fashionable suit for new year celebration.

Qipao, the traditional full dress for Chinese women. It was originated from the folk robe of women of the Eight Banners with loose sleeves and embroidery borders. In early Republic of China (ROC) era, it was gradually reformed into the new-style Qipao with loose robe and straight curves, becoming the latest fashion of women in the new ear. In 1929, the government of ROC issued the Dress Ordinance, determining Qipao as one of the national dresses. The modem Qipao is featured with stand collars, tight waist, frogs and hi-cuts at both leg sides. It can better show the beautiful lines of oriental women, making them more elegant and adding more noble characters of art. When a woman wearing a Qipao stands still, she looks slim and graceful, while when she moves, she looks like a tree in the breeze; therefore, Qipao has become the most representative traditional costume of Chinese women. In the 18th century, Qipao was introduced into Vietnam and gradually developed into the local folk dress, Vietnam-style Qipao. The sisters Soong Qingling. the wife of Sun Vat Sen, and Soong Meiling, the wife of Chiang Kai Shek, took Qipao as their only full dress in all their lives. When visiting foreign countries, the wives of all leaders of mainland China, such as Liu Shaoqi, Jiang Zemin and Ku Jintao, mainly wear Qipao as the full dress.

Duanyichangqun (Blouse and long skirt), one of the traditional costumes of Han women. Before Qin Dynasty, the costumes in China were all in a one-piece style with loose robe and long sleeves. After Han Dynasty. the two-piece style “coat and dress” garment, which was divided into “upper and lower” parts, began to appear among Chinese women. What’s more, such garment had “a simple upper part and a complex lower part”, that is, the blouse was short and small while the dress was loose and big. In Tang Dynasty, it became the fashion for women to wear clothes with loose and low neckband and expose the upper half of their breasts. In Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, the women’s dress recovered the old style. After Qing’s entry and the enforcement of “Hair cutting and dress changing” policy, the traditional I-Ian costumes were almost prohibited. Many women wore qipao while Han women still wore blouse and dress, but in different styles: tight sleeves and long dress, or loose robe and loose sleeves, or replacing dress with trousers. After the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, women got more opportunities for education. For women students in the ROC era, the typical dress was blouse with inclined lapel and short sleeve, and pleated skirt covering the shanks, which was called as “the New Costume of Civilization”. Since it had a simple and agile style, the women in the cities all dressed in the similar way, making it popular and fashionable women’s dress at that time.

Zhongsanzhuang (Chinese tunic suit), once honoured as the “National Costume” by Chinese people. According to historic records, Mr. Sun Yat Sen personally guided the design of tunic suit by integrating the features of traditional Chinese costumes and the mandarin-collar suits in Southeast Asia and Western-style suits with the principles of “suitable for hygiene, easy for movement, with better economic properties and a decent appearance”. The design was finally decided in 1923. The tunic suit meets the standards of “decent, practical, convenient and economic” as raised by Mr. Sun Yat Sen. It’s comfortable and practical with the features of sobriety and majesty. The four pockets in the front of the suit stand for the Four Principles of our country (propriety, integrity, honesty and the sense of shame); the five fasteners on the front edge stand for Five Power Division (administration, legislation, jurisdiction, examination and supervision); the three fasteners on the cuff stand for the Three People’s Principles (nationalism, democracy, the people’s livelihood); there is no tear on the back, which stands for the great cause of peace and unification of the country; the turndown enclosed collars stand for the rigorous philosophy for state administration. Many famous figures such as Chiang Kai Shek, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. used to wear the tunic suit. The suit carries on a kind of culture, courtesy, national self-respect and pride.

Author: Kam Chung Tsz
Translation: C&C - Translation Center, Ltd

The Stamps:The Sheetlet:
The Souvenir Sheet:
The FDC with Stamps:
The FDC with Souvenir Sheet:
The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data
Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.00 Patacas
Folhas Miniatura com duas séries/Minisheets with four sets
Valor do Bloco/Souvenir Sheet Value: 10.00 Patacas
Desenho/Design: Lio Man Cheong
Data emissão/Issue date: 30.11.2010
Impressor/Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography
Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers
Picotagem/Perforation: 13¼ x 13¼