Religion Topicals

This January 31, 2019 computer-vended stamp of Ireland depicts the Rinnegan Crucifixion Plaque. This 8th-9th century gilt bronze piece was constructed from repoussage-hammered bronze sheet. It depicts a Celtic-looking, beardless Christ flanked by two Roman soldiers. Angels flank the figure from above.

From the irisharchaelogy.ie website, "The presence of at least four small rivet holes suggest that the plaque was originally attached to an object, probably a book cover, a composite shrine or a wooden cross...the plaque may have been manufactured at the great Early Christian monastery at Clonmacnoise, which is located just 15 miles to the south of Rinnegan."

The Holy Family had to leave Bethlehem immediately after the Three Magi had visited them (which was yesterday according to our calendar). They fled to Egypt under the protection of an Angel. One in a set of seven stamps featuring the Christmas story, 2012.

The Blue Cross of Denmark is affiliated with the International Blue Cross, which has its headquarters in Switzerland.

From the International Blue Cross website, "The International Blue Cross is one of the world's leading non-governmental organizations caring for people harmed by or at risk from alcohol and illicit drug use."

The inscription on this Danish charity stamp says, "By the help of God and his Word...International youth work in Europe and Africa."

On December 25, 1999 India issued this stamp (Sc #1791) to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Denmark issued this 3.70 kr stamp (Facit #844) on October 5, 1984 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Jewish community in the country. A woman is shown blessing the Sabbath candles.

This 81p stamp (SG #3053d) of the U.K. was issued on March 30, 2010. It is from a minisheet of four different stamps depicting milestone events during "The Age of the Stuarts". John Knox (1514 - 1572), leader of Scotland's Reformation and founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, is shown one the stamp.

From britannica.com website, "(He) set the austere moral tone of the Church of Scotland and shaped the democratic form of government it adopted. He was influenced by George Wishart who was burned for heresy in 1546, and the following year Knox became the spokesman for the Reformation in Scotland."

On January 23, 1969 Norway issued this 1.15 kr definitive-sized stamp (Facit #610) depicting a detail from the north doorway of the Urnes stave Church. Most researchers believe the carving shown depicts a lion battling a serpent.

From norwegianscitechnews.com, "The church was built in the 1130's, but some of the ornamentation stems from an earlier church...The portal has often been regarded as pagan iconography, but this is completely wrong. 'The animal is a stylized lion, a central motif in the heraldry of the late Viking age. The lion as the symbol of the ruler can also symbolize Christ, who is struggling against evil forces', says Syrstad Andas."

Here is an October 9, 1986 stamp (Facit #912) of Denmark commemorating the 450th anniversary of the Reformation in the country. Stamp features a detail of a 1561 painting depicting "A Lutheran service shown from the front of the Communion table in Thorslunde church" (Facit).

Thangka is a Buddhist painting on cotton, silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala (geometric configuration of symbols). Thangkas have a variety of uses, but they are mostly used as a means of gaining merit, in death rituals and in Buddhist ceremonies.

Thangka Paintings, first stamps in the world made of silk, issued by Bhutan on March 12, 1969:

Je Tsongkhapa, religious scholar of the 14th century, depicted in Dharmachakra Mudra seated on a white elephant which symbolizes steadiness and balance of mind:

Chana Dorji, a divine Bodhisattva. He wears a chain of devil heads with a snake coiled around the chain. He symbolizes the might of the Buddhas and is worshipped by those who seek cure from serpent spirits afflictions:

Sangay Marmey-dzey, considered the Sixth Buddha the enlightener and illuminator. He depicted as seated in preaching mudra:

In Mahayana scriptures the noblest Bodhisattvas, out of compassion, refuse Nirvana so that they might benefit the afflicted humanity. They periodically descend to earth in human form to preach and illuminate the lives of mankind. The painting depict 3 great teachers:

Chenresik (left) is Avalokiteswara, the supreme embodiment of compassion.
Tashi-thagye (center), the Eight Auspicious Signs in the form of a pot. The presence of these auspicious signs spell sanctity and happiness
Jampeyang Manjusri (right), symbol of saving knowledge. He holds a book and a sword for knowledge. The sword and book represents severing the fetters (chains) of ignorance: