Date of Issue : 31 Aug 2012
Postmark : China
Denomination : 1.20 yuan
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 Meditating on the Past at Chibi 念奴娇 . 赤壁怀古 by Su Shi 苏轼. This poem was composed when Su Shi was demoted to Hangzhou, and it expresses the author's admiration for heroes and his sentiment about the emptiness of human life. The poem starts in a grand heroic air, relating natural scenes in the presence to the thinking of history, while the second stanza tells Zhou Yu's achievement.
For the remaining stamps and covers in this issue, click on respective links below.