The Silk Road, staring from China and connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, is an important channel for civilization communication, economic and cultural exchanges between China and Western countries. As the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was hosted, the Silk Road has drawn full attention of all sectors. Moreover, the stamps along with Silk Road have been brought to the public. Today, you will be taught to learn about their history and culture.
Kyrgyzstan, with a long history of more than 2,000 years, is an ancient country in Central Asia. It was surrounded by mountains with a relatively isolated environment, so its culture has been preserved and carried on well after many dynasties.
Kyrgyzstan, at the intersection of multiple roads and many civilizations, is a hub for transportation. For its geographical location, it has become a must land of the Silk Road. Till now, there are still many historic sites of the Silk Road in this country.
In 2006, Kyrgyzstan issued six stamps themed the Ancient Architecture of European and Asian Countries involved in the Silk Road, one of which features a famous historical building-Tasharabat Inn, also known as “Stone City”. it is the most well-preserved inn along the Silk Road, which was in service for business travels at that time. In 1988, Soviet scholars discovered some Five baht coins of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AB) in a nearby ancient tomb.
Besides Tashrabat Inn, Burana Tower has also been seen on stamps. Founded in the tenth century, it was located in Chury Valley north Kyrgyzstan, 80 miles east of capital Bishkek. Branata and a remnant of the surrounding castle, tombstone as well as three tombs are the relics of the ancient city of Balassa established during the reign of Qara Khanid (840 AB-1212 AB).
In recent years, many countries have adopted the theme of “Silk Road” with a novelty in imprinting when issuing the stamps in commemoration of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China or friendly exchanges with China.
In 1988, a “Silk and Road” Exposition took place in Nara to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of sibling cities between Xian and Nara. To this end, Japan Post issued a commemorative stamp features a camel rider who is playing Pipa (a four-stringed and pear-shaped flute). The camel rider dressed in the costume of the Hu ethnic group is at ease to dial the string of Pipa. The running camels seem to be involved as they can not help looking back.
In 2005, China Post produced a silk stamp for Afghanistan Post in order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. It was the first silk stamp ever printed since the founding of the New China (1949) in more than half century. Its material came from Huzhou in Zhejiang where was the origin of ancient silk. The left side of the stamp is the Chinese national flag and the wall of Jiayuguan, and the right side is the afghan flag and ancient castle. At the top and bottom of the sheetlet are “People’s Republic of China-the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” and “Silk Road” in Pushtuven, Chinese and English. The four corners were decorated with the Chinese Han Dynasty pattern against the background of walking camels. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan, this set of stamps presents a miniature of two ancient civilizations along with the Silk Road.
In 2008, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Morocco and China, Morocco Post issued the first silk stamp inlaid with ceramic themed the 50th Anniversary for the Establishment of the Diplomatic Ties between the People’s Republic of China and Morocco. The patterns inscribed on three stamps were the ancient city gates of Morocco and the Great Wall of China, porcelain and windows of two countries. In addition, the minor stamp included the national flags of the two countries and characters reading “50”, and incorporated white porcelain canteen from Dehua county, China’s porcelain capital, to depict the route of Maritime Silk Road from Morocco to Quanzhou (600 years ago, Ibn Battuta, a great traveler of Morocco, has visited Quanzhou, Fujian province).
The “Silk Road” has suggested the link with the silk in terms of its name. The first stamp can be dated back to 1958. In that year, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Poland Post, Poland issued a silk stamp with a a face value of 50 zloty, 86mm in length and 76mm in width, in which an ancient Polish post car was depicted. Though silk features thick fiber, this stamp was printed in darn green, no better than paper texture. The curved pattern of the surroundings co-existed with graceful pictures and striking words, making it quaint and poetic.