“24 Solar Terms – Autumn” Special Stamps

The 24 Solar Terms  collectively refer to a knowledge system of time and social practices  progressively developed by Chinese people through observation of the sun's  periodic motion, changes of seasons and phenological cycles.  This system was inscribed onto the  Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in  2016.  As a continuation of the "24 Solar  Terms" series subsequent to the special stamps themed on "24 Solar Terms –  Spring" and "24 Solar Terms – Summer" issued in 2020 and 2023 respectively,  Hongkong Post issues a set of six stamps on the theme of "24 Solar Terms –  Autumn", depicting the scenes of the six solar terms of autumn, namely "Autumn  Commences", "End of Heat", "White Dew", "Autumnal Equinox", "Cold Dew" and  "Frost", in a myriad of colours.

The 24 Solar Terms  collectively refer to a knowledge system of time progressively developed by the  ancient Chinese people through observation of the sun's periodic motion,  changes of seasons and phenological cycles.   Originated mainly in the Yellow River reaches of China, this system is  put into practice for guiding traditional agricultural production and people's  daily life.  Its wide coverage has a  significant impact on various aspects of the Chinese society and culture.  It has been even marked on the Gregorian  calendar, which is used widely by the Chinese communities.  In 2016, the proposal put forward by the  Mainland China to include the 24 Solar Terms in the Representative List of the  Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational,  Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was accepted.

$2.20 Stamp – Autumn Commences
Falling on August 7 or  8 every year of the Gregorian calendar, the day of "autumn commences" signifies  the arrival of autumn as the summer heat departs and the coolness of the season  begins to creep in.  It also indicates  the start of harvest time.  The stamp  depicts farmers harvesting rice in the fields.

$2.20 Stamp – End of Heat
Every year around  August 23 of the Gregorian calendar marks the day of "end of heat".  As its name implies, it signals a time when  the scorching summer is soon to be over and temperatures start dropping more  noticeably.  After "end of heat" also  comes the season of fish harvest and a scene of fishermen catching fish from a  boat is illustrated on the stamp.

$2.20 Stamp – White Dew
"White dew" takes place  between September 7 and 9 of the Gregorian calendar.  The weather gradually turns chilly around  this time of year.  At night, the  temperature drops and water vapour in the air condenses into dew, leaving many  water droplets on the ground and leaves in the early morning.  During this season, farmers are busy picking  cotton that has popped open from the bolls, while migratory birds are about to  fly south to escape the cold.  The stamp  depicts white dew on cotton and birds in migration.

$2.20 stamp – Autumnal Equinox
"Autumnal equinox" is  marked on September 22 or 23 of the Gregorian calendar.  On this day, the sun shines directly or  almost directly on the equator and the lengths of day and night are generally  equal.  In the past, people would worship  the Moon on the day of "autumnal equinox", a tradition that has since evolved  into today's Mid-Autumn Festival.   Portrayed on the stamp, family members are gathering to celebrate the  Mid-Autumn Festival.

$2.20 stamp – Cold Dew
"Cold dew" is found on  October 8 or 9 of the Gregorian calendar.   As autumn deepens across the land, temperatures at this time are  significantly lower than those during the period of "white dew" and the  dewdrops formed on the ground are also much colder.  With its clear skies, crisp air and fine  weather, "cold dew" is simply a season perfect for hiking, particularly as it  also falls close to the Chung Yeung Festival.   The stamp illustrates the custom of hiking during the festival.

$2.20 stamp – Frost
"Frost", the last solar  term of autumn, occurs on October 23 or 24 every year of the Gregorian  calendar.  As the weather gradually gets  colder, dew begins to freeze into frost.   "Frost" is also a season when we see persimmons ripening and  chrysanthemums blooming—two signature seasonal plants that are featured on the  stamp.

Reference links:
(i) The Hong Kong Observatory – the 24 Solar  Terms
https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/time/24solarterms.htm

(ii) UNESCO (Intangible Cultural Heritage of  Humanity) – the 24 Solar Terms
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-twenty-four-solar-terms-knowledge-in-china-of-time-and-practices-developed-through-observation-of-the-suns-annual-motion-00647

(iii) China Agricultural Museum of the National  Agricultural Exhibition Center – the 24 Solar Terms
https://www.ciae.com.cn/display/en/24st.html

(iv) Website on Intangible Cultural Heritage of  China (Chinese only) – the 24 Solar Terms
http://www.ihchina.cn/solar_terms.html

Official first day covers will be put on sale at $2.5 each at all post offices from 24 July 2025. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 24 to 30 July 2025.

Stamp products include mint stamps, stamp sheets, souvenir sheet, presentation pack and serviced first day cover. Serviced first day cover will be available at all philatelic offices only.

Date-stamping Arrangements

• A hand-back date-stamping service with the office date-stamp and the special postmarks will be provided on 7 August 2025 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. All philatelic offices will also provide “Philatelic Bureau” pictorial postmark and its respective philatelic office pictorial postmark. The GPO-1 date-stamp impression will only be available at the General Post Office.

• All stamp products will be available at all post offices starting from 7 August 2025 for 3 months while stock lasts.

• All stamp products will be available at Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall “ShopThruPost” (website: shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from 7 August 2025 at 8:00 a.m. for 6 months, while stock lasts.