Detail

`The Ministry of Information and Communication has decided to changed the degign of the 700-won stamp, ``Mandarin duck-shaped Lid of Celadon Incense Burner`` which was first issued on June 15,1983. It will be replaced by a new 700-won stamp featuring a ``Gilt-bronze Bongnae-san Incense Burner.`` In addition to replacing an old design which had been in use for some time, this change is part of the ministry`s efforts to promote philately. This Paekche Gilt-bronze Bongnae-san Incense Burner was excavated from the ruins of Paekche at Nungsan-ri, Puyo in December 1993. It is 64cm in height. A dragon can be seen carved on the base, and a lotus and overlapping mountains are on the body. A crane gracefully posed with outstretched wings is visible on top of the body, and the lid is decorated with Taoist hermits of longevity and animals of divine nature. All of these figures are brought together into a harmonious whole, symbolizing and charaterizing a supernatural earthbound utopia. The dragon (yin) and the crane (yang) in particular signify the East Asian belief in yin-yang, the element of balbce which exists throughout the cosmos, and the burner`s overall composition an design attests to our ancestors` originality and outstanding artistic sence. The Ministry of Information and Communication has issued these definitive postage stamps on a rugular basis in hopes that it would upgrade the image of Korean postage stamps and set the stage for the advenced philatelic culture.`