The Buddha Shakyamuni was born on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, and this date was interpreted by later Buddhist believers as the Buddha’s birthday. Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau will issue the stamp theme “Festivals – Buddha’s Birthday” on 19^th May, 2021, the corresponding date of that year in the Gregorian calendar.

The Macao painter Mr. Sou Farong has created a set of stamps in the form of oil paintings to dedicate to the birth and the process of enlightenment of Buddha Shakyamuni. The colour selection is quite a combination of Macao characteristics and the unique style commonly used in Tibetan Thangka, representing an auspicious and festive atmosphere.

This issue includes a set of two stamps and one souvenir sheet, the first stamp features the enlightenment of Buddha Shakyamuni, in this painting, the enlightened Buddha is sitting cross-legged on lotus petals against a background of maroon auspicious clouds, knotting the meditation seal - the Dhyana Mudra; the second stamp features Shakyamuni at birth, it shows the scene of the newborn Buddha with right hand raised high pointing to the heaven and left hand pointing to the earth. The golden lotus flower on the green background highlights the newborn Buddha with a smile, in the middle of the lotus flowers. The souvenir sheet is based on the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni, with the background of the ashoka tree with blooming flowers and seven lotus flowers, the painting displays the scene of the day of birth in which the Buddha pointed to heaven and earth.

The above issue will be available for sale at the General Post Office and the Communications Museum (12:00 noon to 5:30p.m.). The mail service for the relative philatelic products cancelled with the commemorative postmark will be available on the issue date at the above locations. The philatelic products are as follows:

Besides the above philatelic products, the special gift set contains one liuli crystal buddha statue with philatelic products with the theme “Festivals – Buddha’s Birthday” will also be released, a prestigious gift box contains the statue of the enlightened Buddha Shakyamuni, the statue is golden-yellow, clear and crystalline, with a solemn and elegant shape, and a presentation pack with a set of two stamps of the same issue, priced at MOP450.00. It will only be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of General Post Office. Limited quantity! Get the opportunity to add value to your collection!

The stamp designer of this issue is Mr. Sou Farong (Adapt. Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau), and the text of the information brochure is written by Ms. Erica, Li I.

This is the sixth theme of 2021 issues. The previous issued stamps are “Lunar Year of the Ox” on 05/01/2021, the label stamp “Lunar Year of the Ox” on 20/01/2021, “120th Anniversary of the Printing Bureau” on 22/02/2021, “Mainland Scenery VIII” on 01/03/2021, “Libraries in Macao II” to be issued on 23/04/2021, and “Procession of Our Lady of Fatima” to be issued on 13/05/2021.

Technical Data of Stamp “Festivals – Buddha’s Birthday”

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