Shanghaiist: Honey, wanna make a golden pig?

roger

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:50:13 +0800

The five elements are irrelevant to this, as are any sayings about generational poverty, as is the fact that most Chinese are poor. What I am referring to as the Chinese cultural worship of money is 'Gongxi fa cai,' 8888, having children in the pig year, various feng shui wealth symbols, and many, many other rituals, sayings, symbols, stories, etc. Most specifically, what's "wrong" with it is that it governs people's behavior and leads them to sociopathological extremes for their own enrichment. But no, I can't prove that, and yes, there are stupid, unrealistic, fantastical belief systems in every culture that mislead their adherents to behave strangely. However, Chinese money-worship is particularly pervasive and is evident in many of the baser attributes of Chinese culture -- particularly the extraordinary willingness to exploit whatever can be exploited (men, women, children, animals, the environment, kindness, friendship, sincerity, honesty, charity, etc.), consequences be damned. Perhaps this "money-worship" is just an element of poverty or poverty with Chinese characteristics, but to say the very least, it is still distasteful.

Inst

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:52:21 +0800

What exactly is wrong with worshipping money, especially if you're doomed to destitution? China supposedly has a saying; 3 generations rich, 3 generations poor. And poor in China is quite poor. So within the cultural memory of every Chinese, is poverty barely outside of living memory. An explanation, so I'm told, is that Chinese culture generally favors both the division of the estate between siblings and having many children. By the way, if I recall, within the Five Elements system, there is no gold, only metal.

roger

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 11:20:25 +0800

Rubbish, usagi. Westerners do not plan their entire lives around such superstitions, as do many Chinese. The fact is that every culture has its superstitions, but the truth is that Chinese are, on average, FAR more superstitious than most western people, and a large body of Chinese superstitious beliefs are concerned with "getting rich." Take a moment to consider (objectively) how many rituals, adages, symbols, etc. in China are dedicated to money, wealth, prosperity, and greed. The reality is that, in China, avarice is practiced with a religious seriousness and cultural acceptance. And the very fact that, rather than taking a hard look at Chinese practices, you feel compelled to turn this into an east-west contest reveals your own insecurity. Go ahead and post your next offense. I am not having this discussion.

usagi

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 05:24:05 +0800

the actual means doesnt have direct relations with money it's like you guys believe number 13 is unlucky. just like we dont like number 4, or never to bring a clock as a gift for an elderly.

roger

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:43:10 +0800

The Chinese worship of money and their rituals and superstitions related to money are perverse.

usagi

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:23:48 +0800

ha..... heard about it lol