To present the beauty of ancient Chinese paintings, Chunghwa Post has chosen “Syzygy of the Sun, Moon, and the Five Planets” by Xu Yang of the Qing dynasty, a work held in the National Palace Museum, to be printed across a series of twelve stamps, each valued at NT$8 to be issued in two sets, one now and one in the future.
In December 1761 (Qianlong Year 25), the rare astronomical phenomenon of the simultaneous appearance in line of the sun, moon and five planets was observed at the Directorate of Astronomy in Beijing. This presaged peace on land and sea and a bountiful harvest for the coming year. Xu Yang was commissioned to paint this auspicious portent. The painting is on a long scroll, the first set contains six stamps depicting: the river in the city moat, the city wall, the Observatory, the Observatory Office, the Dongdan Archway and the bustle of life at New Year as people greet each other, shops sell festive toys for children.