2026-09, The Investiture of the Gods (II)《封神演义（二）》

Stamp Title: The Investiture of the Gods (II)
China Post issued special stamps *Investiture of the Gods (Part II)* on 13 July 2026, containing a set of 4 stamps plus 1 souvenir sheet, total 5 philatelic items.
(4‑1) T Huang Tianhua Subdues Demons  CNY 1.20
(4‑2) T Grand‑Tutor Wen’s Western Expedition  CNY 1.20
(4‑3) T Gongming Fights Randeng  CNY 1.20
(4‑4) T Winning Over Deng Jiugong  CNY 1.50
Souvenir Sheet: Breaking the Yellow River Formation  CNY 6.00

Serial No.: 2026‑9
Stamp size: 40 × 54 mm
Perforation: 13 degrees
Stamps per sheet: Sheet‑1:12 pieces; Sheet‑2:8 pieces (2 complete sets)
Sheet size: Sheet‑1:190 × 206 mm; Sheet‑2:194 × 180 mm
Souvenir‑sheet stamp size:84 × 72 mm (irregular shape)
Souvenir‑sheet overall size:110 × 110 mm
Souvenir‑sheet perforation:13.5 × 13 degrees
Printing process: Offset printing
Anti‑counterfeiting features: Anti‑counterfeit paper, anti‑counterfeit ink, special‑shaped perforations, fluorescent coding
Designer: Bian Kai
Border designer for Sheet‑2: Xia Jingqiu
Responsible editor: Wang Jing
Printer: Beijing Stamp Factory Co., Ltd.
Planned print run: 3.88 million stamp‑sets (retail:0.20 million sets); 0.54 million Sheet‑2 (retail:0.015 million sheets); 3.25 million souvenir sheets (retail:0.20 million pieces)
Face‑value: stamp‑set CNY 5.10; full collection (with souvenir sheet) CNY 11.10.

P.S. “Investiture of the Gods” is a classic Chinese ancient myth‑fantasy novel, generally dated to the Longqing‑Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. Set against the historical legend of Shang‑Zhou dynastic transition, it blends mythology, folk belief and historical narration, creating well‑known characters such as Jiang Ziya, Nezha, Yang Jian, Grand‑Tutor Wen and Zhao Gongming, building a magnificent myth‑world. For centuries, it has been widely adapted into opera, storytelling, comic strips and screen productions, deeply rooted in folk culture and embodying traditional Chinese perceptions of good and evil.
The 2024 first stamp set illustrated early plots of the novel. This second set focuses on key chapters of the Western Qi campaign against Shang, depicting deity duels, large‑scale battles and camp shifts, presenting the epic vision and rich cast of *Investiture of the Gods*.

Stamp (4‑1) “Huang Tianhua Subdues Demons” portrays Huang Tianhua fighting the Four Demon Generals. As an important disciple of the Chan Sect and youthful hero aiding Western Qi, he rides the Jade Qilin and wields plum‑blossom hammers. The composition highlights his valour and fierce combat, symbolizing righteous loyalty. This stamp adopts hidden‑pattern craft: under ultraviolet light, the figure of Erlang God Yang Jian will appear, bringing interactive fun for collectors.

Stamp (4‑2) “Grand‑Tutor Wen’s Western Expedition” depicts Grand‑Tutor Wen leading troops to march west. A senior loyal minister of Shang, Wen Zhong launches the decisive campaign against Western Qi after the Four Demon Generals fall. Banners and troops create tense pre‑battle atmosphere, showing his devotion to the Shang kingdom and foreshadowing later grand battles.

Stamp (4‑3) “Gongming Fights Randeng” shows the famous duel between Zhao Gongming of the Jie Sect and Daoist Randeng. Revered as God of Wealth in folk faith, Zhao Gongming unleashes magical treasures in fierce supernatural combat. The artwork delivers rich romantic imagination of Chinese mythology.

Stamp (4‑4) “Winning Over Deng Jiugong” captures a turning‑point episode. General Deng Jiugong of Shang surrenders to Western Qi under Jiang Ziya’s strategy, reinforcing the theme “Justice wins wide support while injustice loses it”. The relatively tranquil scene brings rhythmic balance for the whole set.

Souvenir sheet “Breaking the Yellow River Formation*: To avenge Zhao Gongming, the Three Sisters of Xiao set up the deadly Yellow‑River Formation trapping numerous immortals. Only Yuanshi Tianzun and Taishang Laojun can break it. One of the most‑famous magical arrays in the novel, the sheet gathers multiple key figures with grand supernatural‑battle scenes. Fluorescent ink and irregular perforations enhance visual appeal and collectible value.

The whole set adopts heavy‑colour meticulous Chinese painting style inheriting refined Song‑painting traditions, with multi‑layer colouring and texture brushwork. It preserves classical aesthetics combined with modern visual language, reproducing the fantasy, heroism and grandeur of the *Investiture of the Gods* universe on miniature stamp surfaces. Innovative crafts include fluorescent ink and hidden patterns. UV‑light reveals secret image on stamp‑1; partial fluorescent effects boost magical atmosphere across stamps; souvenir sheet combines fluorescent technology and special‑shape perforations to enrich viewing and collecting experience.

2026‑9《封神演义（二）》小型张，大破黄河阵，面值6元，异形齿孔+荧光工艺，展现三霄娘娘黄河阵斗法。China Post souvenir‑sheet Breaking the Yellow River Formation, face value CNY6.00, irregular perforation & fluorescent craft.

中国邮政 2026 年 7 月 13 日发行《封神演义（二）》特种邮票 1 套 4 枚，小型张 1 枚，全套共计 5 件邮品。
（4‑1）T　黄天化除魔　1.20 元
（4‑2）T　闻太师西征　1.20 元
（4‑3）T　公明战燃灯　1.20 元
（4‑4）T　计收邓九公　1.50 元
小型张：大破黄河阵　6.00 元

志号：2026‑9
邮票规格：40×54 毫米
齿孔度数：13 度
整张枚数：版式一 12 枚；版式二 8 枚（2 套）
整张规格：版式一 190×206 毫米，版式二 194×180 毫米
小型张邮票规格：84×72 毫米（异形）
小型张外形规格：110×110 毫米
小型张齿孔度数：13.5×13 度
版别：胶印
防伪方式：防伪纸张、防伪油墨、异形齿孔、荧光喷码
设计者：边凯
版式二边饰设计者：夏竞秋
责任编辑：王静
印制厂：北京邮票厂有限公司
计划发行数量：套票 388 万套（零售 20 万套），版式二 54 万版（零售 1.5 万版），小型张 325 万枚（零售 20 万枚）
套票总面值：5.10 元；含小型张全套总面值：11.10 元

2026-9《封神演义（二）》特种邮票 版式二，整张8枚（内含2套套票），边饰设计者夏竞秋，胶印工艺。China Post 2026 special stamp Sheet 2 of Investiture of the Gods Part 2, 8 stamps (2 complete sets), border artwork by Xia Jingqiu, offset printing.

P.S. 《封神演义》是中国古代神魔小说的经典代表作，一般认为成书于明代隆庆、万历年间。作品以商周更替的历史传说为背景，将神话传说、民间信仰与历史叙事融为一体，塑造了姜子牙、哪吒、杨戬、闻仲、赵公明等众多脍炙人口的人物形象，构建出波澜壮阔的封神世界。数百年来，《封神演义》不断以戏曲、评书、连环画、影视作品等形式广泛传播，在民间积累了深厚的群众基础，承载着中国人朴素的善恶观念与文化想象。
2024 年发行的《封神演义》邮票第一组主要展现封神故事前期的重要情节。本次发行的第二组邮票则聚焦西岐伐纣进程中的关键篇章，通过神仙斗法、两军征战、阵营更迭等经典故事，展现封神世界宏大的史诗气象与丰富的人物群像。

第一枚 “黄天化除魔” 选取黄天化大战魔家四将的经典场景，表现其奉师命下山助周、力挽危局的英雄气概。黄天化是阐教门下重要弟子，也是助周伐纣中的青年英雄。其坐骑玉麒麟、兵器八棱梅花亮银锤等形象广为流传。画面聚焦黄天化与四大魔头的正面交锋，突出人物英姿与战斗张力，展现封神故事中道统对决、忠勇报国的主题内涵。该枚邮票创新采用隐藏图案设计，在紫光灯特定光源照射下可显现二郎神杨戬形象，为传统邮票增添互动体验与探索趣味。

第二枚 “闻太师西征” 展现了闻太师统兵出征的恢宏场景。闻仲是商朝元老，也是《封神演义》中极具代表性的忠臣形象。其辅佐殷商数十载，忠心耿耿，深受朝野敬重。魔家四将阵亡后，闻太师亲率大军西征讨伐西岐，由此拉开双方决战的序幕。画面通过军阵、旌旗与人物形象的组合，营造出大战将至的紧张氛围，既展现闻仲忠于社稷的精神品格，也为后续封神大战的发展埋下伏笔。

第三枚 “公明战燃灯” 选取两位仙人斗法的经典情节进行表现。赵公明是截教重要人物，在民间信仰中被尊奉为财神。受闻太师之请下山助商后，他与阐教众仙展开多场斗法，其中与燃灯道人之间的交锋尤为精彩。赵公明与燃灯道人各展神通，法宝齐出，呈现出封神世界中最具代表性的神魔大战场面之一。画面突出法术交锋与仙家气象，展现中国传统神话丰富瑰丽的想象力和浪漫色彩。

第四枚 “计收邓九公” 表现的是封神故事中具有转折意义的重要情节。邓九公原为商朝将领，在姜子牙的谋略感召和局势变化影响下，最终率部归周，为西岐阵营增添了重要力量。邮票通过人物互动与阵营转换的关键时刻，展现封神故事中 “得道多助，失道寡助” 的价值主题。画面氛围相较前几枚更为平和，也使整套邮票在叙事节奏上张弛有度。

小型张 “大破黄河阵” 描绘了三霄娘娘为替赵公明报仇摆下黄河阵，凭借混元金斗擒拿众仙，一时间无人能破。最终元始天尊与太上老君亲自出手，方才破解大阵。黄河阵是《封神演义》中最负盛名的法阵之一。画面汇聚众多重要人物，展现仙家斗法、法阵交织的恢宏场面，充分体现《封神演义》天马行空的艺术想象与波澜壮阔的史诗气质。设计结合荧光工艺强化法术光影效果，并采用异形齿孔设计，进一步增强视觉表现力和收藏价值。

整套邮票采用中国传统工笔重彩方式创作，继承宋画精谨细腻的艺术传统，综合运用多层敷色与皴染技法，构图严谨、设色典雅。设计既保留古典绘画的审美意蕴，又融入现代视觉表达，在方寸之间重现封神世界的奇幻瑰丽与英雄豪情。
邮票采用荧光油墨、隐藏图案等创新工艺设计。其中第一枚设置变身隐藏图案，经紫光灯照射可显现二郎神形象；其余邮票通过局部荧光效果强化神仙斗法的玄幻氛围；小型张则结合荧光工艺与异形齿孔设计，进一步丰富观赏与集藏体验。