Why is the flag not at half-mast?
BEIJING - As I'm sat at home writing this post in my comfortable dry apartment, in near silence - I, like many of you, feel desperately helpless. I've donated, I've told people how to donate on the radio and I've appealed to everyone I know back home to donate. And they are doing.
But, I cannot help thinking that I should be doing more. With the death toll likely to rise above 50,000 - I want to help with my hands. I want to help give water, distribute medicine, wipe away people's tears. And a part of me wants to grieve with the people here in China.
I'm not Chinese, but I live here. This is my home too right now.
Where I come from we don't have earthquakes or snow-storms of the magnitude that we have seen here. We just don't. And for me to be on the radio every-night delivering news about the rising casualty list - is hard.
Whilst on the show I'm signed into my messaging client - so that should anything go wrong, or need amending, my superiors can contact me swiftly and silently. For the past couple of evenings one of my Chinese friends on my contact list has been asking me the same question, 'Why is our nation's flag at Tiannanmen Square not at half-mast?'.
It's a good question.
According to Wikipedia:
Flying the flag at half-mast is a symbol of respect, mourning and distress. The flag is lowered to allow the invisible flag of death to fly on top of the mast, thus signifying death's presence, power and prominence.
The flag certainly would have been lowered in many other countries, as you can see from the Wikipedia article - so why not here? And I really am not criticising, I just want to understand why.
As I was looking around for more information I came across this entry on Danwei where novelist Han Han says:
'It seems that the flag is never lowered for civilian matters, no matter how big. I've basically never seen a flag at half-mast. One time at school the flag was raised to half mast where one of the pulleys got stuck, but that was a half-mast raising, not a half-mast lowering.'
Just how big a civilian matter does it need to be? There is no doubt that a flag flying at half-mast is hugely symbolic, wherever in the world you happen to be. Anyone who happens to glance will know what it means - it means that the nation is mourning. It would in no way show weakness, or a lack of strength - rather, in my eyes it would show solidarity at this tragic time.
UPDATE - At 14:28 on the 19th of May 2008, 3 minutes of silence will be observed across China. Additionally, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast for the period of the 19th-21st.
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A Hong Kong legislator motioned to start the legislative session with a moment of silence and ask permission from the central government to lower the flag for three days. He was expelled from the legislation session as a result.
You seem awfully self-important sometimes. Not only do you want to publicly fly (as if it were a flag) you own grief, assuring us that you feel our pain, you assume that someone in China ought to take the time to not just mourn, but mourn in a properly western fashion to assure you that they are sufficiently somber.
I suggest you do some research on flag symbolism and imagery in China's history.
And Hanhan is a hack writer, hardly the standard bearer of Chinese literature! Why do you cite him as if he were some cultural giant or intellectual? In the Chinese canon, he isn't even a footnote. Why not just quote one of the supergirls on what they think should be done, or perhaps consult with Sister Hibiscus?
According to china's national flag law, entry 14, flags should be flew at half-mast to show the sadness in the following situations.
A. The Death of
1. The President of P.R. China, the chairman of NPC, the Premier, and the President of Central Military Committee.
2. The President of The CPPCC National Committee.
3. People who contributed a lot to P.R. China
4. People who contributed a lot to the peace of the world and the world developement.
B. Natural disasters or heavy casualties.
I do think the earthquake of Sichuan is serious-hurting natural disasters. Why don't we fly the flag at half-mast?
Besides, many countries flew their flags at half-mast when they met natural disasters.
1. U.S.A, after the attack by Katrina.
2. Russia, after the hostages were killed.
3. Australia, after the explosion in Bali.
4. Countries in Europe, after the "311" explosion in France.
.......
Facing the same situation, why can't we do the same thing?
@anonymous
Thanks for your comment. 'You seem awfully self-important sometimes' - when exactly was the last time? This has absolutely nothing to do with self-importance. I am merely stating exactly how I feel at this present time. In addition, when you use the phrase 'assuring us that you feel our pain' - you are being incredibly divisive. Are you suggesting that because I am not Chinese I cannot be a part of the grief surrounding this tragedy?
And I suggest that you go back and read the article again - I am not suggesting that people should 'mourn in a properly western fashion' - as you so eloquently put it. I am asking on behalf of a Chinese friend 'Why is our nation's flag at Tiannanmen Square not at half-mast?'
I was hoping to get some answers to the question, rather than receive some flippant comment from someone with a flea in his or her ear.
Rich:
I am so glad you have experienced the real Chinese characteristics.
i mourn for the entire generation of school children mostly killed some crippled by sub-standard tofu buildings. its hard enough to survive an earthquake, its impossible to survive under lax building regulations.
This should answer the question:
http://english.cri.cn/2946/2008/05/18/168@359141.htm
I think the timing for the national mourning (along with setting the flag at half-mast) to begin on May 19 is rather appropriate, exactly one week after the initial deadly earthquake.
Earlier than that would be too soon: the rescue efforts were going on full-steam, and lowering the flag at half-mast prematurely would be like pouring cold water at the rescuers and the buried but hopeful victims who were still alive waiting be saved.
But yes, now let's start mourning. I pray that there are still miracles that the rescue teams can still find people under the rubble, alive.
Anthony
@ Anthony
Yours is perhaps the best comment ever issued on this website.
The 7th day of the death is significant, part of the tradition (though may not be nationwide).