Two of the stamps featuring Romance of the Three Kingdoms. [Photo/ From Internet]

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, attributed to Luo Guanzhong, is a historical novel set in the turbulent years of the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history (220-280). The story, part historical, part legend and part mythical, describes hundreds of characters but the focus is on the three power blocs of Cao Wei, Shu Han and Eastern Wu. The novel deals with the plots, personal and military battles, intrigues and struggles to achieve dominance for almost 100 years.

From 1988 to 1998, 5 sets of stamps featuring Romance of the Three Kingdoms were issued to raise the profile of classical Chinese literature.