Unique stamps of 12 zodiac animals of Vietnam and the world

• January 15, 2014 22:08

The collection of 12 zodiac stamps on postage stamps of Vietnam and some countries in the world by collector Han Tan Quang is on display before the Lunar New Year of the Horse, giving viewers the opportunity to compare the vivid cultural images of the 12 zodiac animals through stamps of each country.

Cultural researchers say that in Vietnam, the first 12 zodiac animal stamps were issued in 1962 with the stamp model "Dong Ho Tet Painting" including two models "Sow, piglet" and "Hen, chick" both based on folk woodcut paintings.

Tet Giap Ngo 2014 Stamps

During the period 1962 - 1992, the issuance of Tet stamps was not continuous. Starting from 1993, Tet stamps became an indispensable theme in the annual stamp issuance program. By 2004, the 12 zodiac stamp cycle was completed, and stamp collectors had the first complete set of 12 zodiac animals with a beautiful unified pattern and style.

According to researcher Huynh Ngoc Trang: “The twelve zodiac animals (also known as “Twelve Earthly Branches”) are 12 rotating symbols, or symbols based on the 12 parts (Duodenary Cycle of Symbols) used to determine events that occur in chronological order and to identify hours, days, months, and years. These are 12 animals (rat, buffalo/cow, tiger, rabbit/cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, chicken, dog, pig) with corresponding names (Tí, Sửu, Dần, Mèo, Thìn, Tị, Ngọ, Mùi, Thân, Dậu, Tuất, Hợi) that are assumed to have an impact on the period that the animal represents”.

The tradition of the 12 zodiac animals originated from Eastern countries, but to date, more than 70 countries in the world have issued Lunar New Year stamps with more than 1,000 zodiac stamp designs. This shows that the culture of the 12 zodiac animals of the East is attractive and has spread to many countries in other cultural regions. The theme of zodiac stamps has always attracted the postal industry, satisfying the stamp collecting hobby of many people in many countries.

Doctor of Literature - Journalist Kim Ung said that this is a unique and special stamp collection. Through this collection, collector Han Tan Quang helps today's youth have the opportunity to reflect and think about traditional cultural values. Each stamp carries a message of cultural values of each ethnic group, each country. If we consider the aesthetics, we see that each stamp has a unique graphic value. It is the same horse, but each country has a different way of expressing it, showing the diversity of cultural colors. This is truly the beauty of traditional spring.

With 1500 stamps and collectible items, the author has skillfully presented and highlighted the rich content of the stamp sets, with diverse forms, combined with modern printing techniques of many countries, viewers will see this is an elaborate collection, such as 3D stamps, stamps soaked in floral and fruit scents, gold-plated stamps, silver-plated stamps, blocks and curved-edge stamps. The small stamps have become works of art, culture, vivid in form and rich in content. (The exhibition is open from January 11, 2014 to January 21, 2014 at 16 Tran Quy Khoach, District 1, HCMC)

12 zodiac animals on Vietnamese postage stamps: