On August 3, 2024, China Post will issue a set of 4 special stamps and 1 souvenir sheet of "Mogao Grottoes (II)", the stamp design name is Beiliang Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue, Tang Wakishi Bodhisattva Statue, Tang Tianwang Statue, Tang Offering Bodhisattva Statue, and the souvenir sheet stamp design name is Sui Shakya Buddha Yipu. The face value of the full set of stamps is $10.80. The planned number of stamps is 6.2 million sets and 5.3 million souvenir sheets.
Dunhuang is the "throat key" of the ancient Silk Road and a mysterious and brilliant cultural pearl in the Hexi Corridor. Mogao Grottoes, commonly known as "Thousand Buddha Caves", are located on the cliff wall of the west bank of the Danquan River at the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain and 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. As one of the four major grottoes in the mainland, the Mogao Grottoes were excavated in 366 A.D., with a history of more than 1,600 years, and were rated as the first batch of world cultural heritage in the mainland in 1987.
The design of the stamps maintains a high degree of unity with the first set of "Mogao Grottoes" stamps in terms of picture form and color. This set of stamps expresses the core of traditional Chinese culture in the form of modern design composition, the stamp design fully demonstrates the simple and heavy, magnificent and elegant texture and form of the statue, and the souvenir sheet focuses on the cave shape characteristics of the three niche halls, highlighting the profound historical and cultural charm of the Mogao Grottoes. In the form of design language, the use of decorative patterns is abandoned, and the modern design characteristics of simplicity are pursued. Breaking the border limitations, enhancing and expanding the visual range of the stamps. The clever use of the natural form formed by damage and repair to leave room for the picture is an indirect expression of the incomplete part and the expression and portrayal of the vicissitudes of suffering experienced by the Mogao Grottoes. The Mogao Grottoes (II) stamps are printed with high-precision offset plates, and the edges are made of all-true color technology, and the view is under fluorescent lights, showing the exquisiteness of the murals, as if they were in a cave. The souvenir sheet is made with fluorescent ink, and a gradient halo effect can be seen under the ultraviolet lamp, which better reflects the deep and complex visual perception of the cave.
This set of stamps was designed by Xia Jingqiu, the souvenir sheet was designed by Ma Lihang, edited by Wang Jing, and printed by the offset printing process of Beijing Stamp Factory Co., Ltd.
This set of stamps is sold at designated postal outlets, philatelic network halls, China Post mobile app, China Post Micro Post Office Philatelic WeChat Mall and China Post Mall WeChat Mini Program for a period of 6 months. In order to show the content of the stamps more abundantly, China Post will release the digital content through the "China Philatelic Stamp Encyclopedia" WeChat mini-program, which can be viewed using the AR function.
Editor: Yin Yongsheng and Yuan Jia
Editor in charge: Yang Chengli
Producer: Li Guohui