Detail

` With the adjustment in fees for postal services, effective as of November 1, 2004, the Korea Post will newly issue 190-won definitives for postcards (up to 5g), 220-won definitives (5g - 25g), 240-won definitives (25g - 50g), 310-won definitives for non-standard mail (up to 50g), and 1,520-won definitives for registered mail (5g - 25g). The four different types of definitive postage stamps illustrate the ``Wonhwa`` and the ``Bulsae`` among Korea`s national flower, the Rose of Sharon or Hibiscus syriacus. There are over 200 different varieties of the Rose of Sharon. And when classified by the color of their flowers, the Rose of Sharon can be roughly categorized into Baedal (pure white), Baekdansim (white petals with a reddish center), Hongdansim (reddish petals and red at the center), Cheongdansim (blue petals and red at the center), Asadal (white petals with red patterns), introductory species, etc. The Rose of Sharon blossoms daily for around 100 days from July to September. Its flowers, in particular, bloom at dawn and fade at dusk, with around 20 to 30 blossoms of flowers blooming in a day. The Wonhwa of the Rose of Sharon is classified as Baekdansim and takes its name from the female Hwarang (youth elites who excelled in beauty, bravery and military arts during the Silla Dynasty [BC 57 - 935]), and the Bulsae of the Rose of Sharon is categorized as Hongdansim. The ``White Porcelain with Underglaze Iron-Painted Plum and Bamboo Design`` that is introduced in the 1,520-won definitive for registered mail is a white celadon porcelain produced during the Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1910), which depicts a bamboo tree on one side and a plum on the other. The color of the porcelain is milky white with a shining light blue tint and its surface is sophisticated. All in all, the porcelain expands at its shoulders and upper body, while its lower part gradually attenuates, exhibiting commanding and powerful lines. The white celadon porcelain, 40cm in height and 37.9cm in diameter (the main body), is registered as National Treasury No. 166 and is displayed at the National Museum of Korea.`