On October 15, 2023, China Post launched a commemorative set of six stamps titled “Chinese Modern Literary Figures,” highlighting the contributions of six prominent Chinese modern writers: Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Lao She, and Cao Yu.
The stamps showcase a unique artistic style that combines traditional Chinese ink painting techniques with Western artistic elements. Each stamp’s background features representative literary works from these authors, including Lu Xun’s “Wild Grass” and “A Call to Arms,” Guo Moruo’s “The Goddess” and “Qu Yuan,” Mao Dun’s “Midnight” and “Erosion,” Lao She’s “Teahouse” and “Four Generations Under One Roof,” Cao Yu’s “Thunderstorm” and “Sunrise,” and Ba Jin’s “Cold Night” and “Family.”
Among these, Ba Jin’s stamp captures his classic image: an elderly man with white hair, smiling gently while looking into the distance, dressed simply and exuding warmth. Zhou Limin, the executive director of Ba Jin’s former residence, shared that Ba Jin himself was an avid stamp collector. “We aim not only to preserve the images of these literary figures but also to cherish their hearts,” he explained. “Their essence lives on in their works and words. It is precisely because their literature continues to resonate that readers remember and honor them.”
