Nongak | South Korea

These three postcards are from my private collection. Unfortunately they are not posted, but I really like the pictures which give me a glimpse to some of Korea's traditions.The first postcard is showing five beautiful traditional dancers in front of the 10 storey pagoda in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung (Hangul: 경복궁; hanja: 景福宫), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.

Shang Dynasty

This card was sent to me by Zoe from China via postcrossing [CN-302704]. It shows a bronze Fang Zun [rectangular wine container] inscribed with characters indicating ownership by Xu Ya clan [Shang Dynasty].

The Shang Dynasty (Chinese: 商朝) or Yin Dynasty (殷代) was according to traditional sources the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia Dynasty. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley. According to the chronology based upon calculations by Liu Xin, the Shang ruled between 1766 BC and 1122 BC, but according to the chronology based upon the Bamboo Annals, they ruled between 1556 BC and 1046 BC. The results of the Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project place them between 1600 BC and 1046 BC. According to historical tradition, the Shang Dynasty followed the (possibly mythical) Xia Dynasty and preceded the Zhou Dynasty.

Belarus

 This lovely postcard arrived today. It was sent to me by Tacciana in Belarus via postcrossing [BY-90737]. As Tacciana sais, this old record player can be seen at the Belarusian Heritage Museum. Very impressive are the stamps, which "show the national holiday "End of Reaping". The lady in the stamp is wearing a namitka, a pice of white cloth tied in a very tricky way."

I was very happy with this postcard! I didn't know anything about Belarus, and now I know a thing or two! I hope I will receive more postcards from that country :)