Burma Chinthe Definitives

Burma · 1938 · 1 Anna

This definitive stamp features a Chinthe, a mythical lion-like creature commonly seen guarding the entrances of pagodas and temples in Burma (now Myanmar). The design is set within an ornate frame, with the denomination '1A' (One Anna) and the country name 'BURMA' prominently displayed. The Chinthe symbolizes protection and is a significant figure in Burmese culture and mythology.

Issued in 1938 under British colonial rule, this stamp was part of a definitive series that replaced the overprinted stamps of British India. The use of local cultural symbols like the Chinthe marked a step towards a distinct Burmese philatelic identity, even while still part of the British Empire.