Chairman Mao Good Soldier. and other heros.

Lei Feng is the yeti of Chinese Communist history—a creature widely described and occasionally photographed, but perhaps nonexistent. In a roomful of China scholars, it’s easy to divide them into those who say that he was a pure propaganda confection—a smile, a name, and a handful of slogans—and those who see traces of fact. It never helped the advocates of authenticity that Lei was photographed in perfect lighting while ostensibly reading Chairman Mao’s works at night by flashlight. 


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/world/asia/lei-feng-day-draws-chinese-cynicism.html?_r=0

A member of the Chinese military gave a man a free haircut in Shanghai on Monday in observance of “Learn From Lei Feng Day.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/world/asia/lei-feng-day-draws-chinese-cynicism.html?_r=0


chairman Mao Zedong called the nation to learn from the spirit of Lei Feng. He also wrote an inscription

Xiang Lei Feng tongzhi xuexi

Visitors pose in front of a large photos of Lei Feng taken by Zhang Jun at an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of “Learn from Lei Feng Day” (March 5) on at the Beijing World Art Museum on March 6, 2013.

 

European Pressphoto Agency

 

 

Best known for helping little old ladies cross the street and offering to darn his fellow soldiers’ socks, Lei Feng first became a propaganda sensation after his death in 1962 at age of 21, when the People’s Liberation Army soldier was hit by a falling telephone pole.

A recent article in the English-language China Daily, which reflects government thinking, lamented that Lei Feng Memorial Day had been “consigned to oblivion” compared to flashier holidays such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. The article was a comment on how most Chinese these days see holidays as an excuse to buy gifts or otherwise spend money.

Other Chinese Heros

1. Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong)

http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2012/07/how-remember-koxinga

His name is very revered in Taiwanese culture and quite synonymous with success and ability. If you want to give praise to someone’s achievements, you could tell them they are very chénggōng.

   

 

The name Koxinga is a mispronunciation of Guóxìngyé(國姓爺), a title meaning “Lord of the Imperial Surname” given to Zheng by the Ming emperor. Zheng Chenggong was a champion of the Ming in their struggle to maintain their dynasty against the surging Manchu Qing who would ultimately take over China and serve as its final dynasty before becoming a republic.