Benedict Keith Ip
This January marks the end of the cycle in the twenty-four solar terms. The so called “solar terms” are developed from traditional East-Asian lunisolar calendar systems. In every 15 degrees of longitude, the position of the sun is associated with a particular astronomical event, and signifies some natural phenomenon.
Currently the position of the sun is almost the farthest, which is now between “minor cold” 小寒 and “major cold” 大寒 after the winter solstice. In Taiwan there is an idiom to describe the phenomenon, “People and horses are safe if the period of minor cold and major cold are chilly enough” 小寒大寒人馬安. Therefore, tradition tells us that there’s a good chance of having a good year in 2015 for we are now experiencing the coldest time in Macau, and it is very cold indeed.
While the coldest is gone, the Earth begins another season to open a new chapter of life. It is called the “start of spring”, which usually falls on February 4. The natural cycle demands and dictates the end of lives, and makes way for new lives for other opportunities. History tells us that nobody can escape this perishing and blooming cycle. It is the very present moment which links the past and future in order to create a living cycle, rather than simply a cynical spiral of commemoration.
In Hong Kong there is a phenomenon of keeping the dead living. Some people are very attached to fading glories in history. From time to time, these people are so mean that they become the obstacles in preventing new ideas and youngsters blossoming, not even offering them any room to express their viewpoints. Society is too oppressive for new movements, which are constraining their creativeness.
Recently, we lost an excellent voice actor Mr. Lam Pou-chuen 林保全, who was famous for dubbing the Cantonese version of renowned cartoon character Doraemon on TVB. People especially my age who grew up with his voice mourn his death. It is as if the spirit of Doraemon is buried together with him.
To some extent, it is legitimate to mourn because he was so successful that his spirit unites with the cartoon character and creates a very unique image. However, can we accept the fact that he has passed away? Or, are we able to accept a new voiceover to dub the voice of the character, so that the true spirit of Doraemon can continue to serve the new generation?
History should be used for obtaining a clear and distinct mind, and should not be used as a tool solely for consolation. We should free the spirit from death and make way for newcomers to create more memories. It is too brutal to put Doraemon to death together with Mr. Lam. We will miss him for sure; and so, please accept the truth and free his spirit, as we have freed other heroes in the past for our next generation.
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