Many Chinese sayings are pearls of wisdom. That is why Hongkong Post has selected some for the theme of its annual children's stamps series this year.
Five famous aphorisms - 'mutual help in hard times', 'water drops wear away rocks', 'practice makes perfect', 'save to give', and 'as deft as a master butcher' - are printed on stamps with cartoon characters. A collection pack provides a background story on each saying.
'Idioms are very educational for children with positive messages about life,' says Nelvin Lee Chun-yu, senior manager of philatelic marketing at Hongkong Post.
'We hope the collection will attract youngsters and encourage them to collect stamps, too.'
Freeman Lau Siu-hong, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre's board of directors, was responsible for the stamps' designs.
'I like the theme of Chinese idioms. I still remember the story of 'as deft as a master butcher', which I learned in school,' says the designer, who won first prize in poster design during Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
'It teaches us about staying focused and professional. The message is very meaningful.'