One of the stamps featuring The Romance of the Western Chamber. [Photo/ From Internet]

The Romance of the Western Chamber, by Wang Shifu of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), tells of a young scholar, Zhang Sheng, who goes to the capital city to sit the highest imperial examination and meets Cui Yingying, daughter of the then Prime Minister, and falls in love with her. However, the couple’s love is opposed by Yingying’s mother since Sheng is poor. Eventually they overcome the difficulties and marry.

A set of 4 stamps related to The Romance of the Western Chamber was issued on Feb. 21, 1983. The design comes from original drawings by Chinese painter Wang Shuihui.