Chinese literature has always held a special place in my heart. Ever since I was young, I have found great joy in exploring the rich repertoire of classical and contemporary works produced by our culture. I have fond childhood memories of being transported to the romantic world of the Tang dynasty. Delving into the aesthetic treasures, I resonate with the profound insights found in the literature.

During Chinese lessons, I am enchanted by Confucianism and Taoism. They have deeply shaped my values and outlook. When Miss Tong taught us about Mencius, an epiphany came to my mind: everyone is born good inherently, but the environment can determine your personality. Meanwhile, Confucius’ stress on virtues like generosity, righteousness, and harmony has guided me to unearth the unknown beneath people’s indifferent personae.

Exploring Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi, I am intrigued by the wisdom in the mystical Taoist tradition. I absolutely love how metaphorical language is used to promote living in harmony with the natural flow of things, rather than attempting to control it. Amidst the words, I can see how Zhuang Zhou appreciates life’s subtle beauty in simplicity. Classical Chinese is, however, relatively hard to understand for modern people, but one can still be inspired by the famous Taoist maxim, “He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know.” If you want to dig deeper regarding life’s meaning, learn more about Taoism!

China’s rich literary heritage includes texts, poems, novels, and so on. In conclusion, I am proud of the Chinese literary works of art. Authors like Li Bai and Su Shi, works like Dream of the Red Chamber and Analects of Confucius always blow my mind. It’s hypnotizing to read Chinese literature.

S4 Second Runner-up, Chinese Culture Week 2023-24 English Writing Competition