Octagon Shape Stamps - Korea - 2nd Series Traditional Culture Special - 2003

Four Octagon Shape Stamps, a new shape in my odd shape stamps collection.
The special stamp depicting traditional Korean culture is issued to demonstrate the wisdom and aesthetic sensitivity of our ancestors by showcasing articles used by them daily. Introduced in the second bundle of the series are sedan chairs which were the main mode of transportation in the olden days.
1) Eoyeon Sedan Chair
This sedan chair reserved for kings was also called Nanga or Nanyeo. Originally, Yeon sedan chairs were used by kings and had wheels underneath to be hauled by horses. Yeo sedan chairs, meanwhile, were carried on the shoulder of bearers. The chairs had Juryeom, a curtain made of beads hanging in the front, left and right sides. These chairs also featured a Bojang, a splendid insignia and had long grips.
2) Choheon Sedan Chair
This single-wheeled sedan chair for government officials above the rank of Jongipum was called ilryungeo, myeonggeo or chocha. Over the single wheel made of iron was the chair sitting high up with grips hanging both at the front and back. The chair was pulled and pushed by six to nine persons. The back of the chair displayed engravings of the sun, clouds and wave patterns.
3) Saingyo Sedan Chair
This sedan chair was used by commoners to carry the bride to the wedding ceremony. Two bearers manned the front while two were at the back to carry the chair. The chair was decorated with colorful tassels and brilliantly embroidered hanging screens. In order to synchronize the four pairs of feet and to alleviate fatigue, the bearers sang songs called Gwonmaseong while transporting the bride on long distance trips.
4) Namyeo Sedan Chair
This small open sedan chair resembles a chair. There is no cover over the chair as it was used for passage through narrow roads including mountain trails. The chair could be carried over the shoulders from the front and the back as it had poles for handles. The sedan chair with four carriers were used by government officials with rank of above Jongipum Champan, while the chair with two carriers were used by government official with the title of Dangsanggwan above the rank of Jeongsampum.

Stamps Information
Title - Traditional Culture Special(2nd)
kind - Four kinds
Date of Issue - May 19, 2003
Quantity - 800,000 stamps each
Denomination - 190 won
Design - Sedan Chair (Eoyeon, Choheon, Saingyo, Namyeo)
Printing Process and Colors - Intaglio, two colors (Octagonal stamp)
Size of Stamp - 35mm x 35mm
Image Area - 35mm x 35mm
Perforation - 13
Sheet Composition - 4 x 4 (four odd shape stamps setenant)
Paper - White Unwatermarked
Engraving - Lee, Pil-woo
Photographer - Kim, Chang-hwan
Designer - Park, Eun-kyung
Printer - Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation