Delicate blossoms and fragrant flowers from centuries-old Palace Museum artifacts have been beautifully reimagined on a new set of United Nations postage stamps.
These floral motifs, ranging from crab apple blossoms to red narcissus, celebrate the rich botanical artistry found in the museum’s historic collections.
In honor of the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary and International Museum Day, the United Nations Postal Administration issued a special sheet of 10 stamps, each priced at $1.65.
This marks the first time the UN has dedicated a commemorative stamp sheet to a single museum. Every stamp features floral designs inspired by the museum’s exquisite artifacts or its iconic architecture.
For example, the crab apple blossom design is based on a Qing Dynasty painting by court artist Yu Zhi, while the red narcissus motif is drawn from a Yuan Dynasty porcelain plate. The sheet’s background showcases the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu Men) from the Forbidden City, rendered in striking red, a color deeply associated with the palace.
Among the flowers depicted is a unique, mythical bloom called baoxiang hua or “auspicious flower.” This hybrid floral design, combining peonies, chrysanthemums, and lotuses, appears on an imperial wine vessel used in New Year ceremonies. The 36 baoxiang hua flowers symbolize the 360 days of a year, representing peace and prosperity.
Wu Di, head of the Palace Museum’s cultural and creative products department, shared that only 16,800 sets of these stamps were printed. While some are available at the museum’s cultural store, most are distributed internationally, spreading the beauty and cultural significance of these floral designs worldwide.
The floral theme reflects the flourishing diversity of Chinese traditional culture and the hope for its global appreciation. Wu emphasizes that “stamps, as tiny cultural ambassadors, can convey such beautiful meanings.”
Crafting these stamps was a meticulous process, with designers working for months to capture the intricate details and vibrant colors of the original floral artworks on a small canvas. The Palace Museum’s vast and diverse collections provided a rich source of inspiration, making the selection of floral motifs a journey through a treasure trove of cultural heritage.
The stamp launch event at the UN headquarters in New York also featured an exhibition of the Palace Museum’s cultural products, attracting over 120 diplomats and representatives. This initiative highlights the museum’s commitment to preserving and promoting humanity’s cultural heritage through creative expressions rooted in nature’s beauty.
Beyond stamps, the museum’s cultural products include items made from recycled materials, reflecting a modern dedication to sustainability alongside tradition. The museum also recently opened a special hall to enhance accessibility for visitors with disabilities, allowing them to experience the museum’s treasures through touch, sound, and scent.
