Hongkong Post issued on Sunday a set of special stamps -- "Charming Chinese Lanterns" in celebration of Yuanxiao (Chinese Valentine's Day).

The set issued by Hongkong Post are the Lotus Fairy Lantern (1.40 HK dollars), the Narcissus Lantern (1.80 HK dollars) and the Peacock Lantern (2.40 HK dollars), complemented by a stamp sheetlet (5 HK dollars) depicting young boys holding a dragon lantern high in a festive dance.

The stamps create a brilliant illusion of a lantern inset by superimposing a lantern silhouette over an illuminated lantern. The character font has an echo of seal script, which lends a touch of classical elegance to the stamps.

And to enhance the theme, fluorescent ink is applied, which makes the stamps glow under ultraviolet light. The sheetlet is further enlivened with lantern riddles to test your brainpower.

Set against the yellow and orange background of the First Day Cover, a Narcissus Lantern, often employed as a symbol of purity and grace, radiates a luminous warmth.

Besides Hongkong Post, China Post and Macao Post are also each issuing a set of special stamps in celebration. This is the sixth time the three postal administrations to do joint issue on a common theme.

Source: Xinhua