1993-1 Chinese Year of Rooster
In 1993, the Chinese Year of the Rooster postage stamp set was issued on January 5th. The stamps have a face value of 70 Chinese yuan. The T (2-1) stamp "Rooster Crowing at Dawn" with a denomination of 20 cents was issued in 30.065 million copies, while the T (2-2) stamp "Four Seasons of Good Fortune" with a denomination of 50 cents was issued in 25.625 million copies. The stamps measure 26 x 31 mm, have perforations at 11.5 degrees, are arranged in sheets of 32 stamps, and are printed using offset engraving.
The price of the stamps is calculated per set, and if multiples of 4 sets are purchased, square sheets of stamps will be provided. The stamps are in good condition without any yellowing.
Stamp Introduction:
Traditional Chinese society uses the lunar calendar for dating, which is still widely used in rural China because it is suitable for seasonal agricultural production. This calendar, associated with the phases of the moon, is also known as the "lunar calendar" (as ancient Chinese referred to the moon as the "Tai Yin Star"). In this calendar, years are named using a combination of "Heavenly Stems" and "Earthly Branches." The ten Heavenly Stems are: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui; while the twelve Earthly Branches are: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are paired in a cycle, resulting in sixty combinations such as Jia Zi, Yi Chou, and so on, known as the "Sixty Jia Zi." Each Earthly Branch is associated with an animal, giving rise to the Chinese zodiac signs. For instance, the Year of Xin You corresponds to the Rooster, and individuals born in this year are considered Roosters.
In traditional Chinese culture, there are many stories related to the Rooster. For example, there is the saying "hearing the rooster crow and starting to practice martial arts," which tells the story of a scholar who, upon hearing the rooster crow, would diligently practice martial arts and eventually become a great general. Roosters are also believed to counteract poisons, mainly due to their consumption of centipedes. Therefore, during the Dragon Boat Festival (on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month), rooster motifs are often displayed to ward off five poisonous creatures (snakes, scorpions, toads, geckos, and centipedes).
The stamp labeled 2-1 features the "Rooster Crowing at Dawn" with a face value of 20 cents. The stamp depicts a rooster with its head held high and wings spread, symbolizing the soaring of the motherland in the new era.
The stamp labeled 2-2 features the "Rooster Calligraphy Four Seasons Flowers" with a face value of 50 cents. The character for "Rooster" in seal script is boldly designed using techniques such as exaggeration, deformation, and shifting, reminiscent of paper-cut art. The upper part of the character is enlarged and tilted, while the excessive use of slanted strokes and undulating borders in the middle is balanced and coordinated. The square shape in the middle is slightly contracted, creating a lively and dynamic posture on the left side while maintaining a stable and dignified appearance on the right side. The two parts are closely connected by continuous strokes, forming an artistic effect that is lively yet grounded, stable yet not stagnant. Surrounding the character are peony, lotus, chrysanthemum, and plum blossoms, symbolizing good luck in the Year of the Rooster. The entire stamp set is designed to be vibrant, warm, and filled with a rich rural atmosphere.
