Cultural Exchange: Symbol #2

The second symbol of China that Maggie gave me is the painting of Eight Horses, or Galloping Horses, by Xu Beihong.

These horses are no ordinary horses that feed on grasslands - these horses are unique and each of them has a strong identity of their own. Each of the horses seem to come from a geographical area of China. Each horse also has its own name that describes its special characteristics. This is how Maggie described the eight horses to me:

1. 蒙古马（menggu ma), horse of Mongolia.

Called 绝地（juedi), run fast, without your feet touching the ground.

2. 哈萨克马（hasake ma), horse of Kazakhstan.

Called 翻羽（fanyu), run faster than bird.

3. 河曲马（hequ ma), horse of Hequ (a city in Shanxi, China).

Called 奔菁（benjing), run for a long time without rest.

4. 云南马（yunnan ma), horse of Yunnan (a province in southwestern China).

Called 超影（chaoying), can chase the sun.

5. 三河马（sanhe ma), horse of Sannan (a province in China).

Called 逾辉（yuhui), hair is bright and splendid

6. 伊犁马（yili ma), horse of Ili (a river basin in Xinjiang).

Called 超光（chaoguang), 10 shades of light.

7. 千里马 （qianli ma), horse of a thousand miles.

Called 滕雾（tenwu), can run by the clouds.

8. 汗血宝马（hanxuebao ma), hose of Hanxuebao.

Called 挟翼（xieyi), wings that help it to fly like an eagle.

Maggie told me that these eight horses can be regarded as symbols

for the great spirit of Chinese people, including the fact that they are being strong-minded and well-trained. Also, Maggie told me that these horses represent the Chinese nation because Chinese people each have their own individual features which can be then untied and developed into an infinite power contributing to their country and the whole world as well.

Here is my response to Maggie on the eight horses as symbols of China:

"I think the paintings alone are very beautiful, inspiring, and encouraging. But reading the specific characteristics of each of the horses was even greater. I think that the reason why Chinese people are so hardworking and successful is because all of the horses that represent the spirit of the Chinese people are very ambitious and dedicated. The most impacting horses for me were benjin (run for a long time with out rest) and chaoying (can chase the sun). These horses especially made me think, 'Wow, those characteristics are really great characteristics that require a lot of dedication and effort.' I believe that people around the world should all try to respect and strive to behold the characteristics of these eight horses because they are so great in strength and honor.

I noticed that you said that these horses represent how Chinese people have their own individual features, yet still can be united to become an infinite power for their nation as well as the world. I admire the Chinese people for being so thoughtful of the people around them, like their families, their communities, their country, and the world. I think that the balance between individuality and working for the community is very hard to achieve. My personal opinion is that here in America, we do not work together enough, especially because immigrants from many different continents have arrived over the centuries, and consequently, political tensions often occur among the races in the present day.

One thing I noticed after reading about the eight horses that stand as symbols for good characteristic for the Chinese people is that these types of role models exist in almost all cultures. For example, in America, many people are religious and strive to be pious and good, like the characters in the Bible. Another example would be the seven deities of Japan (七福神). Also, the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata hold very admirable qualities that readers of the epic narrative are able to respect and strive towards. I think this says something about the need for mankind to have examples in their lives to try to live up to. I think it would be interesting to compare the different deities and role models of different cultures!"

Here is what Maggie said when I asked her if she had a favorite of the eight horses:

"Honestly, I admire all these eight horses, but if I have to choose, I would like to say that chaoying (can chase the sun) and xieyi (has wings that can assist it to fly like an eagle) are my favorites.