usbed Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi 2687-3060 Aytekin Demircioğlu Cultural Studies (Other) Kültürel çalışmalar (Diğer) Yoga, meditation, and well-being in philately: A visual analysis of cultural and symbolic themes Yoga, meditation, and well-being in philately: A visual analysis of cultural and symbolic themes https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0977-2854 Erkin Özüm İZMİR DEMOKRASİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1673-882X Coşğun Müge İZMİR DEMOKRASİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ 8 14 33 50 09 16 2025 11 18 2025 Copyright © 2019, International Journal of Social and Educational Sciences 2019 International Journal of Social and Educational Sciences

Posta pulları ulusların kültürel kimliklerini, toplumsal değerlerini ve tarihsel deneyimlerini yansıtan önemli kültürel belgelerdir. Yoga, meditasyon ve iyi oluş temalarının filatelik materyallerdeki temsillerini incelemek, bu kavramların kültürel ve simgesel aktarımını anlamak açısından değerli bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, söz konusu temaların dünya genelinde basılan pullarda nasıl yansıtıldığını betimlemeyi ve bu temalar aracılığıyla iletilen toplumsal ve kültürel mesajları ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada tanımlayıcı desen kullanılmıştır. 1 Ocak 1991 ile 31 Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında yayımlanan pullar Michel ve Yvert et Tellier katalogları üzerinden incelenmiştir. Veriler “yoga,” “meditasyon” ve “iyi oluş” anahtar sözcükleriyle belirlenmiş, ardından tematik açıdan sınıflandırılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada toplam 53 pul incelenmiştir. Yoga temalı pullar bedensel, zihinsel ve ruhsal dengeyi ön plana çıkarırken, meditasyon temalı pullar farkındalık ve içsel dinginliği simgelemektedir. İyi oluş temalı pullar ise sağlıklı yaşam biçimlerini ve sürdürülebilir iyi oluşu desteklemektedir. Bu temaların Birleşmiş Milletler Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Hedefi 3 (Sağlıklı Bireyler ve İyi Oluş) ile uyumlu olduğu görülmektedir. Özellikle iyi oluş temalı pulların sağlıklı yaşamı destekleyerek toplumda halk sağlığı bilincinin güçlendirilmesine katkı sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir. Filatelik materyaller yoga, meditasyon ve iyi oluşun evrensel değerini kültürel ve sanatsal anlatılar yoluyla görünür kılmaktadır. Dijitalleşmenin ilerlemesiyle birlikte bu temaların eğitim ve farkındalık çalışmalarında daha yaygın biçimde kullanılma potansiyeli bulunmaktadır.

Postage stamps reflect the cultural identities, societal values, and historical events of nations. Exploring how yoga, meditation, and well-being are represented in philatelic materials is important for understanding their cultural and symbolic transmission. This study examines how these themes are depicted in stamps worldwide and highlights the social and cultural messages conveyed. A descriptive design was employed. Stamps issued globally between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2024, were analyzed using the Michel and Yvert et Tellier catalogs. Data were identified through the keywords "yoga," "meditation," and "well-being," and philatelic materials were categorized and examined according to these themes. A total of 53 stamps were identified. Yoga-themed stamps emphasize harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Meditation-themed stamps reflect mindfulness and inner peace, while well-being-themed stamps promote healthy living and sustainable wellness. These themes align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. In particular, well-being-themed stamps can support public health awareness by encouraging healthy lifestyles. Philatelic materials illustrate the universal significance of yoga, meditation, and well-being through cultural and artistic narratives. With digitalization, these themes may be integrated more effectively into educational and awareness efforts.

 Yoga Meditation Well-being Philately Cultural representation Yoga Meditasyon İyi Oluş Filateli Kültürel Temsil Charan, H., & Kumar, A. (2024). Integrating yoga into mental health care: Enhancing holistic well-being. Divyayatan-A Journal of Lakulish Yoga University, 1(2), 25–27. https://doi.org/10.69919/7jswky51 Cheshire, A., Richards, R., & Cartwright, T. (2022). ‘Joining a group was inspiring’: A qualitative study of service users’ experiences of yoga on social prescription. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 22(1), 67. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03514-3 Csala, B., Springinsfeld, C. M., & Köteles, F. (2021). The relationship between yoga and spirituality: A systematic review of empirical research. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 695939. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.695939 Deshmukh, L., Janghel, U., Sonkuwar, A., & Thakur, R. (2024). Exploring the Synergy between Yoga and Mindfulness Sport Practices: Enhancing Mental and Physical Well-Being. Indian Journal of YOGA Exercise & Sport Science and Physical Education, 26–32. https://doi.org/10.58914/ijyesspe.2024-9.1.4 Erkin, Ö., & Akçay, N. (2018). Self-perceived health status and yoga-related perceptions among yoga practitioner. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 12(3), 193–199. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.452471 Erkin, Ö., & Coşğun, M. (2024). COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Posta Pulları: Toplumsal Mesaj Vermede Bir Örnek. Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi, 14(3), 616–630. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1491195 Erkin, Ö., & Şenuzun Aykar, F. (2021). The effect of the yoga course on mindfulness and self‐compassion among nursing students. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57(2), 875–882. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12630 Erki̇n, Ö., Çeti̇nkaya, A., & Güler, B. (2024). The phenomenon of yoga in the imagination of Turkish nursing students: "The way to place goodness in the heart". BMC Nursing, 23(1), 655. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02288-y Govindaraj, R., Karmani, S., Varambally, S., & Gangadhar, B. N. (2016). Yoga and physical exercise–a review and comparison. International Review of Psychiatry, 28(3), 242–253. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261.2016.1160878 Libera, M. Z. (2020). The added value of the postage stamp in promoting national cultural heritage and identity. In A. C. de M. Figueiredo (Ed.), Examining a new paradigm of heritage with philosophy, economy, and education (pp. 223–231). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3636-0.ch016 Limor, Y., & Tamir, I. (2021). The neglected medium: Postage stamps as mass media. Communication Theory, 31(3), 491–505. https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtz043 Michel. (2025). Michel online catalogue. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://shop.briefmarken.de/en/michel-online Nagarathna, R., Anand, A., Rain, M., Srivastava, V., Sivapuram, M. S., Kulkarni, R., Kutty, B. M., & Nagendra, H. R. (2021). Yoga practice is beneficial for maintaining healthy lifestyle and endurance under restrictions and stress imposed by lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 613762. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.613762 Newcombe, S. (2017). The revival of yoga in contemporary India. In Oxford research encyclopedia of religion. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.253 Philamirror. (2015, June 21). Showcasing Indian postage stamps with yoga postures. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://philamirror.info/2015/06/21/showcasing-indian-postage-stamps-with-yoga-postures/ Press Information Bureau (PIB). (2021, June 21). International Yoga Day commemorative stamps. Government of India. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://pib.gov.in Sharma, D., & Sharma, B. R. (2024). The impact of yoga and meditation on mental and physical well-being. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 9(5), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.9.5.23 The UNN. (2017, June 20). UN to issue 10 stamps of asanas on International Yoga Day. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://theunn.com Trammell, J. (2010). Postage stamp images as cultural markers. In The Winston M. Blount Postal History Symposia, Select Papers, 2006–2009 (pp. 69–75). Smithsonian Scholarly Press. Universal Postal Union (UPU). (2025a). Goal 3: Good health & well-being. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/outreach-campaigns/sdgs-in-focus/goal-3 Universal Postal Union (UPU). (2025b). Statement of the UPU Director General at the event celebrating the winner of the 50th International Letter Writing Competition. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.upu.int/en/speeches/2021/statement-of-the-upu-director-general-at-the-event-celebrating-the-winner-of-the-50th-international Yvert et Tellier. (2025). Catalogues Yvert et Tellier. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.yvert.com/