KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Feb (ZXS) -- Where does Malaysia see "blessings"?
——Interview with Phil, a Malaysian cultural scholar
China News Agency reporter Chen Yue
In the Malaysian Chinese society and even the whole of Malaysia, the word "Fu" appears very frequently. Where does Malaysia see "blessing", and what are its cultural and historical roots in the life of Chinese Malaysians? China News Agency's "East-West Question" recently interviewed Malaysian cultural scholar Phil.
The following is a summary of the interview:
China News Agency: What is the embodiment of the "Fu" culture in Malaysia?
Phil: Just after the Chinese New Year, many Chinese Malaysians have the word "Fu" on the doors and windows of their homes. In the local area, the character "Fu" is very popular, and many place names and company names like to use the character "Fu".
Before the 80s of the 20th century, the use of the word "fu" for personal names was quite common, but in recent years, with the change of the new generation of parents' concept of naming, the use rate has decreased. Walking on the streets of Malaysia, the word "Fu" can be seen everywhere, such as temples using "Fu Quang Gong" or "Quang Fook Palace". The pun "Fuguang" and "Guangfu" both encompass the two major origins of Guangdong and Fujian (often the origins of temple managers), and express the Chinese desire overseas to sacrifice or worship gods to bring good luck.
In addition, "Fu Temple" and "Fu Zheng Shen" temples can also be seen everywhere. On Tai Pak Kung Street in Penang, there is a temple of Fu Zheng, which was built in 1850. In fact, this is the land temple of the Malaysian Chinese society, which holds people's expectations for blessing, blessing and happiness.
The Temple of Fortune can be found all over the streets of Malaysia, dedicated to the god of the land who blesses one side. Photo by Chen Yue
In the history of Chinese education in Malaysia, the first Chinese private school with "historical traces" is Penang Wufu College, which was founded in 1819.
Malaysia's earliest Chinese private school, Wufu College. Photo by Chen Yue
China News Agency: The character "Fu" has a profound influence on Malaysian Chinese culture, what are its cultural and historical roots?
Phil: The profound meaning of "Fu" is rooted in Chinese culture. As early as in the oracle bone script, there was the word "fu". The oracle bone of the word "Fu" expresses the sorcerer's toast to the altar, which shows that "blessing" can be obtained through sacrifice. The ancients believed that all things have animism, and in order to survive, in addition to fighting against nature, they also had spiritual awe and sustenance for it, that is, sacrifice and blessing. The construction of the character "Fu" also expresses the unswerving will of the ancients to obtain "Fu".
The word "Fu" conveys good wishes in Chinese culture. Blessed means having the "five blessings." We will see the four characters "Five Blessings in Linmen" in many places, "Five Blessings" from "Shangshu Hongfan", which is the five standards of the ancient Chinese concept of happiness: "one is longevity, two is wealth, three is Kanning, four is cultivating virtue, and five is taking the test for life." In other words, the "five blessings" include longevity, wealth, well-being, good virtue, and good death.
At the door of many Chinese families in Malaysia, in addition to marking the county, they will also hang the "Five Blessings at the Gate" to pray. Photo by Chen Yue
The preference of Malaysian Chinese for "Fu" has both Chinese cultural heritage and profound historical roots. In pursuit of a happy life, Malaysian Chinese ancestors left their homeland to make a living. They came to a foreign land as strangers, faced with the unknown, and their souls needed solace, so they put their best wishes for life and life in prayers, and the things and customs related to "blessings" were passed down from generation to generation.
I have an English-educated Chinese friend who comes from a large family in Penang. He told me that his father had passed on three statues of gods to him, and before he died, he explained that he could sell any antique in the family, but these three statues could not be sold, and there would be no shortage of anything. These three statues are three stars of Fulu Shou. This friend's ancestors came to Nanyang from China, and no change can stop him from leaving the good blessings of Chinese culture to his descendants.
China News Agency: Do the characters and culture of "Fu" also have an impact on other ethnic groups in Malaysia?
Phil: Malaysia is a multicultural country where cultures influence each other. Many Chinese in Malaysia are accustomed to naming their children in dialects, "Fu" can be FOOK (Cantonese) or HOCK (Southern Min dialect/Chaoshan dialect), and other ethnic groups are familiar with these pronunciations in Chinese names.
"Fu" is the common goal pursued by different ethnic groups, and the word "Fu" can be seen everywhere every Lunar New Year. Some things that represent happiness for the Chinese have also been adopted by other ethnic groups, such as lion dances. This year, just past the celebration of Taipusam Day, the main event in Kuala Lumpur invited a lion dance troupe to pray. In addition, from the Chinese New Year red envelope culture, the Qingbao (Malay) culture and the purple bao (Indian) culture have been derived, and we are happy to see this fusion.
During the Chinese New Year, the shopping mall windows inside the twin towers, a symbol building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, display furnishings with the character "Fu". Photo by Zhao Shengyu
China News Agency: What positive impact can the "blessing" culture of the Chinese nation bring to the world today?
Phil: Both in the past and now, all human beings have a desire to pursue a better life, which can be said to transcend religion, race, and society.
In recent years, mankind has witnessed many thrilling changes. In the face of disasters and suffering, prayer embodies people's pursuit and yearning for happiness. In addition to praying, we must also cherish blessings together. All mankind should work together to pursue happiness, cherish happiness rather than destroy it, which is the best inspiration that the "blessing" culture can give to the world. (End)
Respondent Profile:
Phil, formerly known as Chen Huanyi, is from Chaoyang, Guangdong. Born in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, he holds a Ph.D. in literature from Fujian Normal University and has published 10 books. He is currently an executive member of the Penang Chinese Assembly Hall, the president of the Penang Chinese Alumni Association, the deputy secretary-general of the "Belt and Road" legal alliance, the executive chairman of the European Chinese Cultural Foundation, and a visiting researcher and legal adviser of the Internet Innovation Research Center of Minjiang University. In March 2021, he was awarded the "Medal for Dedicated Contribution" by the Penang State Government.