Jing Roles on Chinese Stamps

In celebration of Lunar New Year, this post features Peking Opera Jing Roles on Chinese Stamps. This set from 2008 celebrates jing roles, which are rough or mighty male characters. Previously, China had other similar sets, including a 2001 stamp set depicting chou (clown) roles that you can read about here. Further, a set featuring sheng male roles from Peking opera is from 2007. Learn more here.

The choice of a theme or topic for a postage stamp says much about the country that creates it. Stamps have messages for citizens and non-citizens alike. For instance, a music theme on a stamp often celebrates a particular cultural tradition, institution, composer, or a performer. It can extol a high art form, or appeal to the masses. As a result, such stamps are a way to unify the public with subtle nationalist messages.

One particular tradition of cultural pride for China, is the Peking Opera (jing ju). The theatrical form combines instrumental music, singing, dancing, acting, and acrobatics in the telling of folk stories or history. It began during the Qing dynasty (1636-1912), becoming extremely popular at the court, and eventually with a broader audience. While it began in Beijing, Peking Opera is now performed in other major cities throughout China. Today, troupes can be found in Taiwan, Japan, and even the United States. Learn more about Peking Opera here.

Jing Roles

The jing roles in Chinese opera are the rough, tough, powerful male characters and often of a high social position. Jing characters can be good guys or villains. Many of these characters are based on historical figures from Chinese history including generals and politicians. Actors in these roles require a big, strong voice and to exaggerate physical gestures. Most, but not all, of the jing roles have brightly colored, heavily-painted, faces.

Among the jing roles there are three types: tongchui roles that involve lots of singing; jiazi roles that are more about acting; and wujing roles that are mostly about martial arts and acrobatics. The jing roles are usually main roles, either the primary figure or a secondary supporting character in an opera. Learn more about the various roles in Peking opera.

The Stamps

The design of the jing role stamps is by Yuan Shanshan. There are six stamps in the set, which became available on February 23, 2008. Each stamp features a particular character known in Peking Opera. The stamps are beautiful with intricate details (look at the robes), overall a colorful palette, and active characters.

Xu Yanzhao and Bao Zheng

The first stamp shows the character Xu Yanzhao. He is one of the central characters in the opera “Second Entry into the Palace.” He is an advisor to the Ming Emperor Muzong who dies while the crown prince is still a baby. The father of the Empress plots to overthrow his grandson, the infant emperor, and usurp the throne. Xu Yanzhao and another loyal minister warn the Empress. Afterwards, she entrusts them to manage state affairs.

The second stamp in the series feature Bao Zheng, sometimes known as Bao Gong. This character is based on a historical figure of the same name who was a politician during the reign of Emperor Renzong, during the Song Dynasty. He was known for his honesty and integrity and his willingness to hold powerful people accountable. Bao Zheng became a hero for championing the causes of the people and was given the title of Justice Bao.

During his twenty-five years in civil service, Bao consistently demonstrated extreme honesty and uprightness, with actions such as sentencing his own uncle, impeaching an uncle of Emperor Renzong’s favourite concubine and punishing powerful families. His appointment from 1057 to 1058 as the prefect of Song’s capital Kaifeng, where he initiated a number of changes to better hear the grievances of the people, made him a legendary figure. During his years in office, he gained the honorific title Justice Bao (包青天) due to his ability to help peasants overcome corruption. Many Chinese folk tales include him as a character, portraying him with a judge’s hat and a crescent moon on his forehead (visible on the stamp).

Lian Po and Zhang Fei

The character on the third stamp is Lian Po, a historical military general of the Warring States Period (475-222 B.C.). He is one of the four great generals of that conflict. The character is a leading figure in the opera “Reconciliation of the General and the Minister.” He served alongside Lin Xiang-Ru, a diplomat, and the two were competitive as officials for the Emperor to gain greater attention and more power. Due to his own behavior, Lian Po felt contrite and tore his shirt and tied a birch rod to his back. He went to Lin Xiang-Ru’s home to apologize and face retribution. Instead, Xian-Ru forgave Lian Po and the two became friends.

Zhang Fei is the character on the fourth stamp in the series. He was another historical military general serving in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Zhang Fei was an important figure in many famous battles of the period and after rising to a trusted advisor of the Emperor, was assassinated by two of his own subordinates who defected. He is a major character in the 14th century story of the “Three Kingdoms.”

Cao Cao and Yang Yansi

Cao Cao was a warlord and poet and is depicted on the fifth stamp. He rose to have great power and serve as the grand chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Cao was an opposing general of Zhang Fei. In literature and popular culture, Cao Cao is often a villain, portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant. He is a central figure in the “Three Kingdoms” story and in many subsequent tales.

The final stamp features Yang Yansi. Unlike many in this set, he is a purely fictional character. He was the seventh son in a military family in the History of Song. Yang was a student of martial arts from an early age and in one famous event beat the brother of the Empress in competition. He was eventually executed by the vengeful commander Pan Renmei while seeking reinforcements in a battle.