Detail

A 2,000 won and a 400 won definitive stamp will be issued on November 20, 2014. For non-standard, registered mail, the 2,000 won stamp features the “Celadon Ewer in the Shape of Fish-dragon,”Korea’s National Treasure No. 61. Produced during or around the 12th century, the heyday of celadon in the Goryeo period, the celadon ewer takes the form of an imaginary creature that has the head of a dragon and the body of a fish. More specifically, the spout is in the shape of a dragon’s head and the body has large pectoral fins, and is embossed and engraved with scales and a flower-pattern. The lid is in the shape of a tail fin, and the handle in the form of an entwined lotus stem is seamlessly attached to the body. In order to prevent forgery and counterfeiting, the new definitive stamp features optically variable ink, minute letter, and special perforations. The 400 won stamp for airmail postcard features the Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha), a bird with beautifully colored feathers, as the name suggests. The small, 18-centimeter bird has splendidly colorful feathers in green, bright red, navy blue, and brown, and thus, has excellent camouflaging. This summer migratory bird primarily breeds in East and South Asia, including Japan and the island of Borneo, and some have also been found to breed on Mt. Hallasan of Jejudo Island and parts of Geojedo Island each year. Because they build nests between tree branches, they inhabit forests along the coast, on an island, or on a steep hillside inland. The Fairy Pitta is known for its short tail that frequently bobs up and down, and is difficult to get close to as it is extremely alert at all times. The breeding season is from May to July, and they lay four to six eggs at once. They feed on insects and worms as they walk on the ground. The fairy pitta has been designated as Natural Monument No. 204, and is also designated by the government as an endangered species.