Canada:Diwali (2021)

On 19 October 2021 Canada Post issued a new commemorative stamp to herald the arrival of Diwali - one of the largest and most widely celebrated festivals in India. Observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and others around the world.

Diwali is a five-day celebration that usually falls in October or November. Also called the Festival of Lights.

Issue Description
A time to reflect, overcome negativity, and spread light and love, Diwali is associated with a number of traditions, many of them focused on the triumph of good over evil. Small clay oil lamps called diyas are often lit in rows in homes and temples or set adrift on rivers, fireworks illuminate the sky, representing gratitude for health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity and celebrants exchange gifts and donate to those in need.

Rangolis are also an important part of the festival. Drawn on floors in entranceways, living rooms and courtyards using flower petals, coloured sand and other materials, these intricate patterns are intended to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, into celebrants’ homes.

Stamp
Designer Seung Jai Paek layered the Rangoli pattern featured on this stamp with meaning. A lotus flower, symbolic of new beginnings, forms both the outline and inset; a ring of heart-shaped diyas expresses love and gratitude; and the Indian spice box (called a masala dabba) in the centre of the design alludes to the food shared during Diwali.

The rich golds in the design evoke a sense of wealth, while the stream of light in the background represents the gods illuminating the path to peace and prosperity.

First Day Cover
The image on the front of the First Day Cover is an enlargement of the Rangoli pattern featured on the stamp.

The cancel location is Vancouver, British Columbia. The stamp was cancelled on October 19.

The cancel image is a line drawing of one of the elements in the rangoli pattern featured on the stamp. It is symbolic of the small oil lamps, or diyas, that are traditionally used to decorate homes during Diwali.

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