1997-08, Architecture of the Dong Nationality《侗族建筑》

Stamp Title: Architecture of the Dong Nationality
Scott No: 2765-68
Serial number: 1997-8
Values in set: 4
(4-1), Zengchong Drum Tower, 50 fen, 30*40mm
(4-2), Bai’er Drum Tower, 50 fen, 30*40mm
(4-3), Wind and Rain Bridge over the River, 150 fen, 40*30mm
(4-4), Wind and Rain Bridge in the Fiel, 150 fen, 40*30mm
Date of issue: Li Yingqing
Designers: June 2,1997
Size:
30*40mm for Value 1 and 2
40*30mm for Value 3 and 4
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: offset

Dong Nationality, a minority nationality in southwest China, has a population of about 2.5 million who mainly inhabit Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi provinces and autonomous region. The Dong people are not only good at singing and dancing, but also experts in knitting and building.

The drum towers are in the shape of a wood pagoda. Without a single nail or rivet, the towers could be three-to ten-storey high. The tower is spacious inside and has wood rails circling each floor. There is a calabash or crane on the top of the tower symbolizing auspiciousness and peace. The delicately wrought protruding eaves look as if to fly and leap. The square in front of, and the stage connected with the tower are the centre of celebration activities.

Wind and rain bridge, also called flower bridge, is another unique building of Dong people. As the weather in the region is changeable, Dong people build corridors on the bridges so passers-by could take shelter from the sun, wind and rain or take a rest. So the bridge is called wind and rain bridge. On the corridor and eaves of pavilions are carved with paintings featuring coloured and vivid figures, mountains and rivers, patterns and animal, displaying the Dong’s national characteristics as well as their diligence and wisdom. Wind and rain bridges are the art treasures of Chinese wood architecture.

1997年特种邮票《侗族建筑》
国家邮政局1997年6月2日发行《侗族建筑》特种邮票1套4枚。
（4-1）T 增冲鼓楼 50 分 3151.75万枚
（4-2）T 百二鼓楼 50 分 3151.75万枚
（4-3）T 跨河风雨桥 150 分 2551.75万枚
（4-4）T 田间风雨桥 150 分 2551.75万枚

志号名称：1997-8T
版别：胶印
整版枚数：20枚
邮票规格：30 × 40
齿孔度数：12 度
设计者：李印清
印制机构：辽宁省沈阳邮电
侗族是我国少数民族之一，是一个古老的民族，其祖先是居住在江浙一带的古越人，自称为“甘”，世代居住在贵州省东南部的黎平、从江、榕江、天柱、锦屏、三穗、镇远、剑河、玉屏等县市，也有少数居住在湖南、广西等省区。使用侗语。以农业生产为主，有优良的建筑艺术传统。

其建筑精巧别致，形式多样，善造鼓楼和花桥(风雨桥)，据调查，现尚存鼓楼有300多座，花桥为数更多。那如塔如阁的鼓楼和具楼具廊的花桥，正是侗族古老文明的象征，是侗族人民智慧的结晶，也是中华民族文化及古建筑遗产中的又一瑰宝。