Special 410 24 Seasonal Periods Postage Stamps-Winter (2000) (D410D)

Stamp SN : D410D
Stamp Name : Special 410 24 Seasonal Periods Postage Stamps-Winter (2000)
Stamp Cat Standard : Special Stamps
Stamp Cat : Agriculture
Issue date : 2000-11-03
Dimension of stamps(mm.) : 36 x 25.5 (mm)
Printer : China Engraving & Printing Works,R.O.C.
Sheet composition : 30 ( 6 x 5 )
Print color : Colorful
Process : Deep etch offset
Paper : Phosphorescent stamp paper
Perforation : 11 1/2
Designer : J.C. Chen

The 24 seasonal periods-or solar terms-represent an accumulation of wisdom from our ancestors, a system that encapsulates their understanding about weather and about how to adapt to the environment. To give the public greater understanding about the life of the ancient Chinese, the Directorate is issuing another set of six stamps about the 24 periods that is entitled "24 Seasonal Periods Postage Stamps—Winter." The stamps depict sights in farming villages during different seasonal periods. They are printed in se-tenant format.
The designs of the stamps are as follows: 1. "Commencement of Winter": It is now winter. The weather has turned cold. In order to keep healthy and fit, it is customary to eat tonic foods on this day. 2. "Lesser Snow": Now some of the moisture in the air will turn into snow and fall down slowly on the pine trees on high mountains. The land is painted white with snow. 3. "Great Snow": After "Lesser Snow," the temperature in northern China falls under the freezing point. The cold is bone chilling and snow falls heavily. During this time, snow can also be seen in the high mountain areas of Taiwan. 4. "Winter Solstice": It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice is regarded as a "little New Year" among Chinese. On this day, family members would get together and eat glutinous rice balls, which symbolize wholeness and solidarity. 5. "Lesser Cold": Though it will not be long before the snow will melt, it is very cold and the temperature has been absorbed by the snow, making it feel even colder. Everywhere one can see plum blossoms, which add color to the chilly winter landscape. 6. "Great Cold": "'Lesser Cold' and 'Great Cold' are both freezing cold." From this proverb, one can see that these two periods are the coldest time of a year. Snow fills the land and it is extremely cold. After this day, the icy winter will starts to leave and spring approach. The earth has started another round of its never-ending seasonal cycle.