Sociology 2: Semiotic Analysis of Australian Postage Stamps

This report presents a semiotic analysis of Australian postage stamps, focusing on the kangaroo and map stamp and the Christmas stamp. The analysis employs Peirce's trichotomy of signs (index, icon, and symbol) to decode the messages conveyed by the stamps. The report examines the indexi...Read More

Running head: SOCIOLOGY 1
Semiotic analysis of postage stamps

SOCIOLOGY 2
Part 1
The stamps chosen for the semiotic analysis are commemorative New Zealand lamb and map
stamp and the ordinary kangaroo and map stamp of Australia
Figure 1 - Ordinary kangaroo and map stamp of Australia
According to Hateley (2014)., in 1913 after the 12 long years of federation, a stamp was
issued by Australian Government which had an Australian Map and a Kangaroo. The icon
and design chosen was as it was the first absolute stamp that was a single nomenclature of
Australia. The visual presentation of the stamp was quite simple and clear because there were
number of pro-republicans who persistently opposed the integration of the sovereign's profile
on the stamp of Australia. The index such as the printed name of Australia adds on to a freer
political culture. The dollar sign printed on the stamp showcases the monetary symbol and 10
indicates the cost of the stamp. Whereas the kangaroo emblazoned on the map of Australia
shows the geographic and cultural aspect.

SOCIOLOGY 3
Figure 2- Christmas Stamp
As stated by Scott (2016), the Christmas stamp was referred to as a first commemorative
stamp of Australia. The Christmas stamp has changed its colours and design every alternative
year since 1957. There have been noticed few indices in this particular stamp such as the
word ‘Australia’ that denotes the country of its origin. The word ‘Christmas’ and the girl
sitting and praying indicates the reason of celebration and the festive season. The 4d sign
imprinted on the stamp symbolises the currency of that time which was ‘pence’.

SOCIOLOGY 4
Part 2
I believe that the stamps or mostly stated as Postage stamps are chief media artefacts that
were extensively in use by the people universally. These are not merely an icon as it
represents an important and vital aspect of the reality of a particular country or its culture. For
a social and cultural researcher, the stamp continues to represent the entire country as a
national unit which is served as its primary function. The semiotics adds on to be as a most
significant perspective as it studies the qualitative role of the social interaction as well as
human values and culture. I feel that for a semiotic researcher, the symbols, indices, objects
assist to analyse the message it is trying to convey to the public in a non-conventional way.
The semiotic analysis of the stamps is stated to be as an audience-based local platform with
numerous messages that are hidden in their symbols (Yardley, 2015). This method of postage
stamps helps the researcher to determine the socio-cultural values of the country and its
people.

SOCIOLOGY 5
References
Hateley, E. (2014). Publishing, postage, and prizes: classic Australian children’s literature in
the public eye.
Scott, D. (2016). Indexical/iconic tensions: The semiotics of the postage stamp. Semiotics of
the Media, 191-201.
Yardley, C. B. (2015). The Representation of Science and Scientists on Postage Stamps: A
science communication study. ANU Press.