Chinese And Far Eastern Mythologies

Sacred Animals of Hinduism, issued by Guinea-Bissau in 2010.

- Macaque monkeys, associated with Hanuman monkey-god, the loyal servant of god Rama.

Cobra snake, Naja naja, associated with god Shiva, the destroyer or transformer, responsible for dissolution.

Dogs, associated with Yama, god of death, justice, and the afterlife.

Tiger, national animal of India.

Elephant, associated with Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, symbolizing intelligence, humility, and divine protection.

Thai shadow theatre - Hindu and Buddhist character puppets, Thailand, 2008.

- Shiva – The Hindu god of destruction and transformation, embodying both ascetic meditation and cosmic renewal.
- Rishi – A revered sage or seer in ancient India, known for spiritual insight and composing the Vedic hymns.

- Theng the Jester – A traditional comic or clown figure in South and Southeast Asian folklore, who uses humor and wit to reveal deeper truths.
- Shadow play preluder

The Twelve Earthly Branch Deities, issued by Ghana on December 28, 2016 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Shengxiao Philatelic Society.

These stamps depict the twelve animals of the Chinese lunar zodiac accompanied by stylized guardian figures known as the Twelve Earthly Branch Deities, a popular theme in modern Chinese zodiac art. These figures are not historical personalities but symbolic celestial guardians associated with each zodiac year. Drawing on Chinese folklore as well as Daoist and Buddhist protective imagery, they represent spiritual protection, strength, and auspicious power. The dynamic compositions, showing the deities riding or accompanying their respective animals, express blessings, harmony, and good fortune traditionally wished for during the Lunar New Year.

Lao Mythology - Naga Fire Balls

The Naga fire balls (Lao: Naga Bang Fai) are a phenomenon seen in the Mekong River in areas near Vientiane. This phenomenon characterizes by glowing balls rise from the water into the air for 200 meters before disappearing. The fire balls have been seen for centuries around the Awk Phansao, the end of the rainy season in October.

Lao people believe that the King of the Naga dragons, Phagna Nark, lives in the underwater city of Muong Badan and regarded as the Mekong River ruler, sends the fire balls once a year to celebrate the Wan Awk Phansao Festival. This festival commemorating the the end of the rainy season and welcomes the monks that ended a period of three months of meditations in monasteries:


A set of four stamps depicting the Naga Fire Balls myth was issued by Laos on October 29, 2004.

The Naga dragon welcomes Buddha with fire balls.

The underwater city of Muang Badan, the city of the King of the Naga dragons.

The Naga dragon sends the fire balls.

Ashura, one of the Eight Buddhist Guardian Deities (Hachi Bushu) in Japan, 8th-century statue, Kofuku-ji Buddhist temple Nara, Japan, designed by Hisano Minoru, engraved by Okamura Shoji and issued by Japan on February 1, 1968.

Jataka - Stories about the previous lives of the Buddha
The Legend of Prince Phra Wetsandon (Lao version) (II):

Jataka refer to a collection of legends concerning the previous births of the Buddha as were told by the Buddha himself in his sermons to emphasize certain moral ways of life. Here is one of the famous Jataka stories telling about the Prince Wetsandon, one of the previous lives of Buddha:

The prince Phra Wetsandon was a son of King Sanxai and Queen Phoutsadee. He and his wife, Nang Matxee, had two children. One day, Prince Wetsandon gave the Kingdom's white elephant to nearby country that suffered from drought. This white elephant causes good luck and brings rain. Indeed, rain came soon to the country but, unfortunately, cease to come to Sanxai's Kingdom and people could not begin their planting. When King Sanxai heard about the gift, he sent Phra Wetsandon Prince and his family into exile to a forest. One day, a Brahman named Xuxouk, asked the Prince to give him his children to be his servants since his wife is a lazy and shrew lady. Prince Wetsandon, without hesitation, gave the Brahman his two children. Nang Matxee, the Prince's wife, collapsed when hearing the news about her children.When god Indra heard about the Prince merits he decided to test him. He came to earth as a Brahman and asked from the Prince his wife. When the Prince gave his wife, all celestial beings rejoiced, god Indra resumed his human image and returned Nang Matsee back to Prince Wetsandon as a gift (so he can't give her as a gift to others). Meanwhile, the Brahman Xuxouk and the Prince children accidentally arrived at King Sanxai's Kingdom. The King recognized them and understood that it is one of his son merits. He ordered to arrest Xuxouk and sent a grand procession to bring back Prince Wetsandon and his family from exile to rule the Kingdom.

Three different sets were issued by Laos. In page 3 of this thread I posted a Lao set from 1975. Here is another Lao set issued on December 5, 2001.


Himavanta depicts Prince Phra Wetsandon presenting the sacred white elephant to envoys from a neighboring kingdom, an act of supreme generosity that ultimately led to his exile.

Vanapavesa illustrates Prince Phra Wetsandon, his wife Maddi, and their two children departing for exile in the forest after the prince was banished from his kingdom.

Kumarakanda shows the greedy Brahmin Jujaka (Xuxouk) taking Prince Phra Wetsandon's two children away to become his servants, one of the greatest sacrifices made by the compassionate prince.

Sakkapabba portrays the god Sakka, disguised as a Brahmin, asking for Maddi as a final test of Prince Phra Wetsandon's generosity before revealing his true identity and restoring her to the prince.