COVER N. 632 - CANADA

Postmark: Canada Post Postes Canada Canoe B.C. 21.08.2025 

Posted on the 21st August; Received on the 2nd September 2025

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Hanukkah and Diwali, two different celebrations, from two different religions, both having a common symbolic fulcrum: light!

Thank you very much, Edward, for a cover with no less than 4 stamps and a nice pictographic cancel.

I won’t elaborate over the signification of the Hanukkah and the Diwali Festivals, since I am not at all versed in the fundaments of both the Jewish and Hindu religions, agnostic that I am. Suffice to say that both festivals play a very important part in the traditions of both religions, 

As I read, Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the oil in a very small container having been enough to keep a menorah alight for eight days in the  Temple in Jerusalem after it had been taken by the Jews over from the Greeks, and takes place on the 25th day of Kislev, which may occur at any time from November 28 to December 27.

On its part, Diwali, celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and is celebrated during the months of  of Ashvin and Kārtika—between around mid-September and mid-November.

The “P” (permanent) tariff  stamps on the top row are the traditional Hanukkah issues of the Canadian Post for 2022 and 2024.

On the left we have the  07NOV2022 stamp which, according to the release notes, “reflects the joyful spirit of the festival through a vibrant, contemporary interpretation of the flames on an eight-branched menorah”

On the right is the 14NOV2024  issue featuring a 19th-century peacock-themed hanukkiyah (menorah) that was rescued from a burning synagogue in Germany during Kristallnacht in 1938.

The bottom row “P” tariff stamps are dedicated to the Diwali Fest, also an annual tradition of the Canadian Post.

On the left, we can see the 15OCT2024 issue, which, according to the release notes, “highlights Lakshmi Puja, which for many is the most important occasion of the celebration, often falling on the second or third day.

Traditions vary during this time, but many people light small clay lamps called diyas and perform rituals to invite Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, into their homes to bestow good fortune. Inspired by depictions of Lakshmi, the stamp design features three of her hands – one is showering coins, another holds a lotus flower and the third holds a diya.”

Finally, on the right we have the 06OCT2022 issue. Illustrated with an oil burning lamp.

Again referring to the release notes, “one of the many tales surrounding the origins of Diwali relates to the diya (small clay lamp) at the heart of the design. According to an ancient legend, when the venerable Prince Rama and his wife, Sita, returned home from exile, jubilant villagers illuminated their path with dīpāvali (rows of diyas), from which the word Diwali is derived. To this day, rows of lamps, candles and lights burn in homes and temples during the festival”.

The Pictorial cancellation was applied at canoe, a semi-rural community, part of the city of Salmon Arm, in British Columbia,