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    China's dragon stamp breathes criticism, fear

    BEIJING (AP) — A stamp designed to mark China's upcoming Year of the Dragon is drawing unusual criticism for its fang-bearing monster.

    The stamp went on sale Thursday, drawing the heavy crowds that normally flock to buy the annual Lunar New Year stamps. But the dragon's attacking pose on this year's stamp has led some people to call it too ferocious.

    Zhang Yihe, a renowned Chinese writer, wrote on her Sina Weibo microblog that she was "scared to death" when she first saw the red and yellow creature with scales and claws.

    Another writer, Tan Xudong, called it an "incomparably ugly dragon-year stamp."

    Its designer, Chen Shaohua, said he had received criticism, abuse and support for the stamp, brought out ahead of the Chinese New Year, which is Jan. 23. Chen has defended his design, saying that the dragon should be interpreted as a symbol of China's rising confidence.

    "As a large country which has major influence in the world, China is ushering in the restoration of national confidence," he wrote on his blog.

    "From sternness and divinity, to a representation of China's self-confidence, a dragon which is tough, powerful, stern and confident is an appropriate choice," he wrote.

    According to The Global Times newspaper, Chen said that his design derives from the pattern on "dragon robes" worn by Chinese emperors — whose symbol was the dragon — in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and a screen featuring dragons in a Beijing park that was a pleasure ground for the emperor.

    Mythical legend claims that Chinese people are descended from the dragon, and many believe it's an auspicious symbol.

    The controversial dragon stamp is already ushering in good fortune for some. One stamp seller was reportedly selling a set of 20 for 178 yuan ($28) — much higher than the 24 yuan ($4) face value.

     
    • Johnny  •  4 mths ago
      Meanwhile, the US is working on a Kim Kardashian and Snooki stamp. Now thats scary...
      • Up the Irons 4 mths ago
        Wouldn't wanna lick those. I don't feel like finding out what spray tan and herpes taste like.
      • j 4 mths ago
        That is scary
      • david m 4 mths ago
        YOU BET IT IS!
    • Michelle Lu  •  4 mths ago
      *** WARNING: This comment is a little long, by the way, for anyone who's about to read what's below...

      Okay. I don't think many people understand that it's not about the dragon being scary (which is a really stupid comment, by the way) that the Chinese people are complaining about. It's the concept behind it! ...and somewhat the appearance.
      During Chinese New Year we are not celebrating the "rise of China's self-confidence", we are supposed to be celebrating new luck, new fortune, new health, new love, and...well...a new year. If China wants to celebrate their rise of whatever, then save it for their national holiday! This is not the time!
      Also, Chinese dragons are supposed to be strong and lively looking. Unlike European dragons, they are supposed to help people, be friendly looking, and are considered heavenly creatures. What the Chinese people are complaining about is that this dragon looks kind of on the ugly side and it has what my folks called a "bitter-face". In Chinese New Year, Chinese people (especially the superstitious ones) want a happy, lively dragon and not a "bitter-face" one because it might bring bad luck and an unfortunate future. We want happy, smiles, optimism, YAY!

      Anyway... Thanks for those who took the time to read my comment/ rant. I know it's very time consuming and not many people have that kind of patience (including myself), so thanks again. You make me feel... special.
      Also, if you would ask any other ACTUAL or traditional thinking Chinese person out there about what they thought of the stamp, they would most likely give the same response as what I did here. My comment is not an opinion, it is an actual fact because this is how most Chinese people view things.
      ...And for those who are curious, I am actually pure-blood Chinese. However, I'm not from China or Taiwan and neither is anyone in my family. Chinese people identify themselves base on their ancestry background rather than the location of where they were born (I know, it's a bit confusing). I also don't speak Mandarin, I speak American English and Cantonese (but I'm not from Hong Kong or Canton). And hey... I'm not Communist.

      Happy Chinese New Year everyone! ... it's on January 23rd this year!
      • Raserei 4 mths ago
        I like you. You, sir/ma'am, actually have something intelligent to say. :) Your comment was very well-put.
      • peejaybee1 4 mths ago
        Thank you for such a lucid contribution - rarely seen on these pages; I also applaud you for saying that you speak American English, so different from that we speak in UK
      • misLunaShadow 4 mths ago
        Yeah I love and totaly agree with what you had to say. I celebrated Chinese New Years in Milwaukee WI on a Art school trip it was amazing (2002)
    • QQ  •  4 mths ago
      I feel sorry for the woman who said she was scared to death of a stamp.
      • Steven 4 mths ago
        I don't feel sorry for her. She needs psychotherapy
      • peppy 4 mths ago
        She said the dragon was in attacking pose though.
      • incognito 4 mths ago
        It might leap out of the stamp and bite her!
    • joseph  •  Kansas City, Missouri  •  4 mths ago
      It's only a picture of a dragon.
      • Weeks 4 mths ago
        Agreed. Who's scared of a picture of something?!?!?
      • gulfranger 4 mths ago
        Im scared of pictures of sockmonkeys.
      • FoxyMopHandleMama 4 mths ago
        they're not even real, right?? LOL
    • Kentucky  •  4 mths ago
      Remember the dragon is a mythicl figure
    • Tom, A Traveller  •  Cincinnati, Ohio  •  4 mths ago
      The Chinese dragon can be sometimes lovely and sometimes fearful.
    • Alicia  •  4 mths ago
      Of course its going to look ferocious, its a freakin' dragon. Last time I checked dragons were not cute and fluffy.
    • Arcticbabe2006  •  4 mths ago
      What, is it giving you nightmares? Grow up people, it's a #$%$ stamp!
    • The Psychotic Libertarian  •  4 mths ago
      I used to be scared of artwork also... Then I turned 5...
    • Bill  •  4 mths ago
      Scared of a stamp? If we ever go to war with China, we can frighten them into retreat by dressing our troops as Postal Workers.
    • Sven Richardson  •  4 mths ago
      And here I thought only Americans complained about stupid, pointless stuff.
    • Person  •  4 mths ago
      I think it looks awesome.
    • Most Unknown  •  4 mths ago
      Coming from the folks who put concrete dragons in front of every building......
    • Loch  •  Monacillo, Puerto Rico  •  4 mths ago
      looks cool to me
    • major  •  Bemidji, Minnesota  •  4 mths ago
      The Dragon used in the Bible is symbolic of Satan.
    • cyndi  •  4 mths ago
      I like Eragon's dragons.
    • StarClassic  •  4 mths ago
      Quit complaining! At least you guys don't have to receive letters with Garfield or Betty Boop on the stamp. Those Dragons kicked #$%$
    • HUH!  •  Louisville, Kentucky  •  4 mths ago
      Ohh scary imaginary cartoon......the horror
    • John L  •  Hartford, Connecticut  •  4 mths ago
      People need to get a life and stop complaining about everything.
    • Mega  •  4 mths ago
      Not to be out done the US will soon be coming out with the following stamp.

      Puff the Magic Dragon
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