Detail

`The Ministry of Communications has been issuing postage stamps of Korean Beauty Series which depict Korean lifestyles, nature, and traditional culture. Traditional insignias (Hyoongbae) embroidered on the chest and back of government official dress in the Chosun Dynasty, are chosen as the designs of 4 kinds of postage stamps of this third collectin. Rank insignia was called Po when worn by the royal family and Hyoongbae when worn by government officials. King`s Po was attached on the shoulders, chest, and back of the Konryong-P`o(king`s official dress). And the design used in 1850 was selected for this collection. A dragon symbolizing the King is snugly encircled by the curve patterns of the background. The Single-Crane Insignia was used for civil officials ranging from 4th to 9th rank. This insignia used in 1600 features a crane which fully spread its wings and fly through colorful clouds with a plant of eternal youth in its beak. The crane stands for the dignified civil servant. And the waterdrops, plant of eternal youth, cloisonne patterns, waves and swastika are well balanced in harmony. The Twin-Crane Insignia was originally worn by civil officials ranging from 1st to 3rd rank. But it is presumed that this insignia must have been used on a groom`s wedding ceremonial dress at the time. Twin cranes with the plant of eternal youth in their beaks are embroidered on red satin with floral patterns. Clouds, rocks, waves, water stream and coin patterns are arranged around the twin cranes with fully spread wings. The Twin-Tiger Insignia was used for military officials ranging from 1st to 3rd rank. This insignia used in 1720 was embroidered on sky-blue satin with patterns of clouds. And it shows a tiger turning its head to face the other tiger in the background. The symbol of the Tae-guk is placed in the center. Surrounding the tigers are nineteen colorful clouds, waves, rocks, water stream and pine trees. A tiger stepping on a towering rock express the brave spirit of a warrior.`