South Korea 2019 - Taegeukgi in History

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 14 August 2019
Stamp Size: 36 mm x 26 mm
Perforation: 13¾ X 13¼
Denomination: 380 Korean Won
Quantity: 1,120,000.-
Printer: White Underwatermarked
Printing Process & Colors: Offset, Four Colors
Printer: Southern Colour Print for POSA
Designer: Ryi Jihyeong

Taegeukgi in History:

Taegeukgi is renowned as the most philosophical of all the national flags in the world. But did you know that up until 100 years ago, many different types of Taegeukgi existed? Korea Post is issuing commemorative stamps that feature the different faces of Taegeukgi that most people are unfamiliar with.

In the later years of the Korean Empire, King Gojong bestowed a gift to a United States diplomatic advisor named Denny. The gift was none other than Taegeukgi, which came to be known as O. N. Denny`s Taegeukgi. This oldest extant Taegeukgi is estimated to have been made in 1890 and is currently held at the National Museum of Korea.
The wave of modernization that started with the proclamation of the Korean Empire in 1897 prompted the creation of Taegeukgi for educational purposes. For example, Taegeukgi at Seongyojang House, Gangneung is known to have been created and used by the students of Dongjin School in Gangneung in the early 1900s. Myeongsin School for Girls (presently Sookmyung Girls’ Middle School and High School) also created their own Taegeukgi in 1906 when the Honorable Princess Consort of the Eom Clan founded the school. Also, Taegeukgi of Dongduk Women s Academy was flown on the foundation day of the school in 1908.

Sadly, the loss of national sovereignty took place almost concurrently with modernization. Under the Japanese occupation, Taegeukgi became a symbol of resistance. The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905, also known as the Eulsa Unwilling Treaty, enraged many, including Go Gwang-sun, a general of the righteous army. In 1907, General Go created Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning Liberation is Not Far Off and led the anti-Japanese movement.

While the creation of Taegeukgi Woodblock, which had Taegeukgi engraved on a woodblock, enabled the mass production of Taegeukgi for the March 1st movement, Taegeukgi Embroidered by Nam Sang-rak was made by the independence activist Nam Sang-rak who hand-stitched the entire flag on silk and used it as part of the Korean independence movement on April 4, 1919. Taegeukgi at Jingwansa Temple was said to have been made by the monks who participated in the March 1st movement.

Taegeukgi of the Provisional Korean National Council were donated by the family of Kim Bung-jun, who served as the president of the Provisional Korean National Council. These Taegeukgis are precious artifacts that represent the changes made to Taegeukgi during the time of the Provisional Korean National Council.

Korean people s yearning for independence reached the United States through Taegeukgi. Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning Long Live Korean Independence! on a triangular pennant and Taegeukgi with Kim Gu`s Writings and Signature which Kim Gu gave to Maeusa, a Catholic priest who was leaving for America, clearly prove how the spirit of independence was alive both inside and outside Korea.

Korea finally gained independence on August 15th 1945, and the oaths for the continuing effort to regain full sovereignty are written on Taegeukgi with Writings and Signatures of the Soldiers of the Korean Liberation Army.

The Korean peninsula was again swept up in turmoil with the onset of the Korean War on June 25th 1950. Taegeukgi with the Writings and Signatures of Gyeongju Student Soldiers which represents the iron will of the student soldiers, and Yi Cheol-hui`s Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning Outbreak of War, which illustrates the army s forward passage and their military spirit, can be viewed at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan.

During the Second Battle of Seoul, a U.S. marine named Busbea was handed a Taegeukgi by Korean citizens. This Taegeukgi, which is called Taegeukgi Donated by A. W. Busbea, a U.S. Marine can be found at the Hanam Museum of History.

These sixteen images on the commemorative stamps display the history of Taegeukgi, in which Koreans spirit and yearning for independence breathe soundly. As we celebrate the upcoming Independence Day, we hope that these stamps will provide everyone with the chance to reflect on our history and show profound gratitude to those who fought for the country s independence and freedom

O.N. Denny's Taegeukgi 
Taegeukgi of Myeongsin School for Girls
Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning "Liberation is Not Far Off"
Taegeukgi of Dongduk Women's Academy
Taegeukgi at Seongyojang House, Gangneung
Taegeukgi Woodblock
Taegeukgi at Jingwansa Temple
Taegeukgi Embroidered by Nam Sang-rak
Taegeukgi of the Provisional Korean National Council 1
Taegeukgi of the Provisional Korean National Council 2
Taegeukgi with Kim Gu's Writings & Signature
Taegeukgi Chinese Character's Meaning "Long Live Korean Independence"
Taegeukgi with the Writings & Signatures of the Soldiers of The Korean Liberation Army
Yi Cheol-hui's Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning "Outbreak of War"
Taegeukgi Donated by A.W. Busbea, a US Marine
Taegeukgi with Writings & Signatures of Gyeongju Student Soldiers

South Korea 2017 - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Namsadang Nori)

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 27 October 2017
Design: Deolmi, Pungmul & Mudong (Shoulder Ride)
Stamp Size: 52 mm x 21 mm
Denomination: 330 Korean Won
Quantity: 250,000.-
Printing Process & Colors: Offset, Four Colors
Sheet Composition: 2+ (2x4)
Perforation: 13¾ X 13¼
Printer: White Underwatermarked
Designer: Kim Sojeong

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Namsadang Nori)

Namsadang Nori (National Intangible Cultural Heritage) literally means the all-male vagabond clown theatre.  It is a traditional folk performance of various genres, such as musical instrument performances, dance, play and acrobatics, staged in an outdoor area.  In September 2009, Namsadang Nori was inscribed on the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and thus the value has been recognized around the world.  Namsadangpae , which performs Namsadang Nori by traveling around the country, is a theatrical troupe comprised of people from the lower classes in the Joseon Dynasty.  Led by Ggokdusoe, Namsadangpae features 40-60 members including Gombaengisoe, a performance planner, Ddeunsoe, a person in charge of performances in each genre, Gayeol, a performer, Bbiri, an entry level member, and "Jeoseungpae, a senior member, as well as young errand boys and porters who carry the equipment.  All members have been trained under a strict order of rank and hand down the skills systematically.  Namsadang Nori is made up of six components: Pungmul, a segment of farmers music to attract people by playingthe percussion, such as gongs, double-headed drums and animal hide drums; Beona, a display of hoop-spinning with a wooden stick; Salpan, an acrobatic segment performed on the ground with comic dialog and music; Eoreum, a tightrope walking act where an acrobat on a high-wire is engage in witty exchanges with a clown below; Deotboegi, a mask dance depicting people from different social classes; and Deolmi, a puppet play where puppets on the stage exchange jokes with musicians.  Namsadang Nori was not just about providing enjoyment to the audience.  It spoke for the weak and sent messages by satirizing irration alities of the time and exposing social problems.  In particular, Deotboegi, a mask dance, and Deolmi, a puppet play, raised the morale of oppressed lower-class citizens and women by satirizing and making a mockery of the incompetent and corrupt aristocrats, and critizing tyranny of men under patriarchy.

Oman 2019 - Traditional Omani Music

Music enthusiasts and philatelists alike are in for a very special treat from Oman Post after the company launched four interactive stamps celebrating the deep roots and variety of Oman’s traditional music and performance arts. Offering an augmented reality experience through the Oman Stamp App, the stamps pays homage to time-honoured country traditions. They can now be reserved by emailing Oman Post on: philatelic@omanpost.om

The stamps feature four performing arts, as follow:

The first is Al Azi, a traditional Omani music performed in various styles all over the Sultanate, and accompanied by dancing and recitation of poetry. The second, Al Rawah, a drummers-based performance originating from Musandam, usually performed by men and women during weddings.

The most unique characteristic about this dance is its name, which changes according to the time it is performed. It is called ‘Serh’ in the morning, ‘Sudar’ during mid-day, ‘Rwah’ in the afternoon, and mostly known for its evening time name of ‘Siri’. 

The third stamp highlights the Barghoum, a blowing instrument, made from the horns of wild goats or Oryx, which gives no more than two musical tones.

The fourth and final stamp showcases two rhythmic musical instruments, the Kasir, known for its technical aesthetic role in performing basic rhythmical beats, and the Rahmani, which provides a deep pitch in all different patterns of traditional Omani music.

Curacao 2019 - Musical Heritage of Curacao

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 16 October 2019

Mongolia 1961 - Culture And Art

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 16 September 1961
Size: 43 mm x 33 mm ; 33 mm x 43 mm
Printing: Intaglio
Perforation: 12 : 11 1/2

With scenes of achievment and progress of sector of culture and art for 40 years since people's revolution.

North Korea 2019 - Folk Customs of the Korean Nation

Technical Details
Date of Issue: 01 December 2019
Size: 100 x 52mm, 50 x 30mm (stamp)
Denomination: 50 won x 4
Designer: Kim Hae Yong, Ri Jin Hyok
Quantity: 30,000 (Perforation) ; 1,000 (Imperforation) ; 500 (FDC)

The Korea Stamp Corporation has published a stamp series showing “Folk Customs of the Korean Nation”.

According to the KSC the “stamps were issued to reflect the unique food culture of the Korean nation. The stamps portray the peculiar dietary custom of the Korean people.”

The stamps in the series have the following value/ design:
50 Won - Pressing Noodles
50 Won - Making Bean Paste
50 Won - Making Kimchi
50 Won - Pounding Cereal Cakes

North Korea 2019 - Korean Folk Customs

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 22 November 2019
Size of Stamp: 59.5 x 31.5 mm
Denomination: 50 won x 4
Price: $2.00 (4 stamps perf)
Designer: Kim Won Myong, Kang Chol U
Printing: Offset
Sheet Composition: 4 x 5
Quantity: 30.000 (Perforation) ; 2.000 (Imperforation)

The Korea Stamp Corporation has published a stamp series showing Korean folk customs from “the period of the feudal Joson dynasty” and Koguryo.

According to Korea Stamp Corporation, “Folk games Koreans have played traditionally include hunting contest, ssirum (Korean style of wrestling), tug of war, jumping seesaw, swinging, janggi (Korean chess), paduk (go), yut, konu, singing and dancing by peasants, top-spinning, rope skipping, kite flying and sleighing.” The Korean terms for these activities are 사냥경기, 씨름, 바줄당기기, 널뛰기, 그네뛰기, 장기, 바둑, 윷놀이, 고누, 농악놀이, 팽이치기, 줄넘기, 연띄우기 and 썰매타기.

The stamps in the series have the following value/ design:

50 Won - Hunting contest (In The Period of Koguryo)
50 Won - Ssirum (Korean Wrestling) (In The Period of The Feudal Joson Dynasty)
50 Won - Tug of War (In The Period of The Feudal Joson Dynasty)
50 Won - Jumping Seesaw (In The Period of The Feudal Joson Dynasty)

Mongolia 2019 - Intangible Cultural Heritage

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 22 November 2019
Size of Stamp: 190 mm x 180 mm ; 78 mm x 108 mm (SS)
Printing: Offset Lithography

Intangible Cultural Heritage:
100 Mongolian Tögrög - Mongolian Calligraphy
200 Mongolian Tögrög - Falconry, A Living Human Heritage
300 Mongolian Tögrög - Mongolian Knuckle Bone Shooting
400 Mongolian Tögrög - Mongol Bilyegee, Mongolian Traditional Folk Dances
700 Mongolian Tögrög - Traditional Music of the Tsuur
2000 Mongolian Tögrög - The Traditional Music of Morin Khuur
2000 Mongolian Tögrög - Urtiin Duu, Traditional Folk Long Song