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.