Date of Issue : 31 Aug 2012
Postmark : China
Denomination : 80 fēn
Stamp Size : 40 mm x 35 mm
Printing Process : Lithography
China has a long and rich literary tradition, of which includes many forms of poetry and verse. Ci poetry came about during the Tang Dynasty, however, only came to its fullest array during the Song Dynasty, when the style was formatted and regularised. Ci 词 lyrics, perhaps one of the most beautiful, sorrowful and tangible, are arranged to the tune of traditional songs, known as cipai 词牌. The China National Philatelic Corporation has issued a set of six stamps, with corresponding cover for each stamp, featuring the Ci of the Song Dynasty.
Above stamp features Sand of Silk Washing 浣溪沙 by Yan Shu 晏殊. This poem expresses the sentiment about Spring, containing the reflection of life. The poem reiterates the topic by clinging to the new and the old, the gone and the coming, and the changing and the unchanging. The two lines starting with "helplessly" regret the past with the first line and greet the new with the second.
For the remaining stamps and covers in this issue, click on respective links below.