My friends and I were recently discussing horoscopes; the way they are said to dictate our personalities, emotions, and compatibility with others. Some even believe they shape how we love, fear, grow and dream. There is a certain joy attached to reading a well-prepared psychoanalysis on oneself every now and then. Yet, such deconstruction into specific traits can be restrictive and often plain wrong.
While googling our respective signs, we came across an old website about Yin and Yang: Chinese values that separate a person into masculine and feminine. Although Yin and Yang are complementary in order to “maintain the balance of the universe”, the attributes associated with Yang are conventionally deemed superior; bright vs dark, hard vs soft, dominating vs yielding, giving vs receptive. [1]
The deeply-rooted gender connotations in Yin and Yang soon got me thinking about the roles and expectations women in ancient China held. In particular, the fact that these differences are perceived as a natural order of the universe reinforces the harmful notion that it is only reasonable for men to lead and women to obey. This dangerous logic then follows that if Yin (women) were to assume control, disaster would ensue.
Until half a century ago, women in China were placed in kinship roles and, in each, expected to remain subordinate to men throughout every stage of their life. Governed by the Confucian principle of “the three obediences”, girls had to obey their fathers, wives their husbands and widows their sons. [2] Interestingly, the Chinese character for female (女) originated from a diagram of a person kneeling with their hands folded, signifying submission. [3] Quiet, gentle, compliant. It is no wonder the ‘Lotus flower’ trope, which paints Asian women as hyper-sexually delicate and submissive, prevailed in early Hollywood.
The tale of Mulan, a young Chinese woman who disguises herself as a man to join the army in her father’s stead, has been recounted repeatedly over time. The beloved Disney animation remains iconic in its representation of a brave, strong and virtuous Chinese heroine - a refreshing divergence from the typical portrayal of Chinese women. While it has inspired many girls, including myself, the Disney animation (1998) has been questioned for its ending in which Mulan refuses a powerful position in the male-dominated kingdom and instead returns home to be an obedient daughter. Some may interpret this as a bold, empowering move in which Mulan chooses what she wants, a form of bravery in itself. But to me, the narrative suggests that while Chinese women can excel in a man’s position and even “save all of China”, at the end of the day, she is still heavily influenced by and cannot break free from the gender roles imposed on her. This is reflected in history whereby women temporarily joined the workforce during WWII, only to later be forced away from “male” space when men returned from war. Further, when Mulan greets her family with the Crest of the Emperor and the Sword of the Enemy, her grandmother condemns that “she should have brought home a man”. What appears to be a light-hearted joke actually echoes the confined existence and cruel reality of womanhood. Mulan’s heroism is left unappreciated and her achievements are dismissed; she would have brought more honour to the family as a bride.
Indeed, family was perceived as the backbone of Chinese society, with men at the centre of it all. In a way, the status of women was set at birth. Sons were cherished as the carrier of the family name, while daughters were at best considered a "small happiness" to be married off to another family, as if they were accessories. [4] Historically, in times of turmoil and in light of the one-child policy, girls were even seen as disposable; nameless, last to be fed, and in extreme cases, newborns were even smothered. In adulthood, the norms of arranged marriages, concubinage and widow chastity solidified the position of women at the edge of the familial unit where they are always subjugated and disrespected. [5]
Perhaps the most defining oppressive practice committed against Chinese women is foot binding. To make a daughter more desirable, her feet were broken, reshaped and tightly bound to be reduced to three inches, known as “lotus feet”. [6] A mark of feminine beauty and status. It is heart wrenching to think that the value of a Chinese woman was so intimately bound to pain.
Today, Chinese women stand proudly on their own two feet, as equals of men. The process of emancipation has been one of the most rapid and dramatic in world history. Although family remains the basic unit in Chinese society and women are still largely expected to be wives and mothers in accordance with the notion of filial piety, women are able to craft new identities for themselves. [7]
Take for example - Dong Mingzhu, an entrepreneur who first began her career as a salesperson at Gree Electric in 1990 after becoming a widow with a three-year-old son to take care of. She slowly made her way up to become chairwoman and president at the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer, growing its stock value by 2,300% under her leadership. Known for her fierce work ethics, overflowing confidence and relentless strategies, a male competitor shared “when she chews you up, she doesn’t even spit out the bones”. [8]
Lang Ping, the first ever to win a volleyball gold medal at the Olympic Games as both player and coach. She is perceived as a cultural icon and legend in the history of modern Chinese sports. The 1984 Olympics gold, during which she was captain, marked the rise of the Chinese national team spirit. She is said to push her team very hard, while remaining affectionate. Similarly, she plays aggressive tactics, yet maintains a cool and calculated head. [9] The perfect balance of Yin and Yang.
Wu Yi, a retired Chinese politician who is best known for being the Minister of Health during the SARS outbreak in 2003 and shortly after, becoming Vice Premier of the State Council. As China's top trade and investment negotiator, she has earned an international reputation for being tough, direct and uncompromising behind her soft smile. [10] Interestingly, she once stated she is unmarried as she wished to establish a career before starting a family, especially upon realising her ideal man simply does not exist in real life.
All three prominent figures which hold different leadership roles in China have been nicknamed as an “Iron Lady” for their Yang-like characteristics: hard, dominating, giving.
Chinese women of our past, present and future surely and evidently possess both Yin and Yang traits, not boxed into one or the other. Whether we are considering the meaning behind horoscopes or our place in the world at large, I only hope we’d realise sooner there’s a little bit of Yin and a little bit of Yang in everyone; in our personalities, emotions, compatibility with others and perhaps even in how we love, fear, grow and dream.
[1] Mark Cartwright, ‘Women in Ancient China’, World History Encyclopedia <https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1136/women-in-ancient-china/>.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Mela Sarkar, ‘Women’s Oppression and Chinese Characters’, Educational Sociolinguistics (21 April 2019) <https://bild-lida.ca/educationalsociolinguistics/uncategorized/womens-oppression-and-chinese-characters/>.
[4] Small Happiness: Women of a Chinese Village (1984) <https://mubi.com/films/small-happiness-women-of-a-chinese-village> (‘Small Happiness’).
[5] ‘Women in Traditional China’, Asia Society <https://asiasociety.org/education/women-traditional-china>.
[6] ‘8 FAQs about Foot Binding You Want Answered’ <https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-history/chinese-foot-binding.htm>.
[7] ‘Filial Piety (孝) in Chinese Culture’, The Greater China Journal (14 March 2016) <https://china-journal.org/2016/03/14/filial-piety-in-chinese-culture/>.
[8] ‘China’s Most Successful Businesswoman Dong Mingzhu, Leader of Gree’ <https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-most-successful-businesswoman-dong-mingzhu-leader-of-gree-2017-2>.
[9] Alex Colville, ‘Lang Ping, “The Iron Hammer”: The National Hero with the Golden Touch’, The China Project (26 October 2020) <https://thechinaproject.com/2020/10/26/lang-ping-the-iron-hammer-the-national-hero-with-the-golden-touch/> (‘Lang Ping, “The Iron Hammer”’).
[10] ‘Who’s Who’ <http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/0924/voc50people/content/wu.yi.html>.
Written by Grace Wong
Edited by Cassandra Wong
Cover art designed by Amrita Chahal