The Rat in the Race

Having just experienced my first Chinese New Year, albeit in the UK without many of the traditional celebrations (so I’m told), I thought it would be an interesting topic to investigate. In the few days I’ve had since CNY I’ve come to reflect a little on the origin stories I was told and what someone who has been raised in western culture might be able to take away from them.

First of all, I was always aware of Chinese New Year whilst growing up, but I didn’t pay specific interest to it or understand the significance of it. For me, it was just another festival that occurred around the world which I had never experienced. I grew up in a small village in Sussex, about 40 miles south of London. It is a reasonable affluent area and predominantly white middle class. It is rare to see any kind of decorations or celebration adorning people’s porches and gardens at the end of January/ early February, unless of course they still hadn’t taken their Christmas decorations down!

I have however noticed some paper lanterns on a cottage tucked away in the village this year which I had never seen before. I don’t know whether I am consciously looking out more for indications of Chinese culture, or whether it was just a coincidence. Either way it gave me the idea of focusing on the subject for this week’s blog.

Source: tripsavvy: Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival

As someone with Architectural training I have come to realise that an understanding of religion, arts, culture, music, design, media, food, travel, development and the environment are fundamental to understanding the way people inhabit the planet. Everybody is different and has grown up in a different place, a different time and the success of humans is built on our ability to collaborate and work together. We do that differently around the world, we form countries and treaties, fight wars and make peace and the history of these interactions has established the international relations we see today.

Growing up in the UK, I am fortunate to have been born into a developed culture within a country that has huge global influence and connectivity. I attended a Church of England primary school as a child and became accustomed to Christian religious beliefs and values, as well as being introduced to other religions throughout my education. I was never really taught much about religion or holiday festivals that originate from the far east of the world. I wasn’t even sure if Chinese New Year was a religious festival or whether it was just a national holiday, so I was eager to learn as much as I could about it.

To much of the western world, Chinese New Year seems like another celebration to welcome the new year and many associate images of oriental parading dragons, fireworks and lanterns as traditional symbols of the festivities. I was exactly the same, completely oblivious to the fact that it as just as important as a social platform for goodwill as it as a party.

In the English speaking world, we have many traditions that are carried out such as the singing of the Robert Burns poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’. The whole world generally agrees that fireworks should be lit and national television broadcasters normally show scenes from major cities across the world. In the UK, we have traditional musical TV on the BBC and people generally host parties or go out and generally everyone has a glass or three or their favourite drink. These are things that I have become used to as a New Year’s celebration and when I was reminded that I would be celebrating CNY I really wasn’t sure what to expect at first.

I didn’t really understand why the Chinese had a separate new year, as a boy I always thought it was because they didn’t celebrate the conventional date and so had another date set as the start of their calendar. I have since been told the legend of Nian, the monster who in legend devours villagers and livestock at specific points in the year before returning to the sea. In the legend, villagers would traditionally flee to the mountains and abandon their homes while the monster visited and they had lived in fear. One year an old man refused to leave his village and was able to scare the monster pasting red paper on doors and using burning bamboo to make loud cracking noises. He lit candles in the houses and wore red clothing. When the villagers returned they were surprised to see the village had not been destroyed and he old man still alive. They repeated what the old man had learned year after year to scare the monster away and the monster never showed again. This is the tradition the rest of the world sees during Chinese New Year and to me, it sounds like a lot of fun.

The other big thing I have been introduced to is the giving of red envelopes. This also originates around a legend involving a monster, which says that a demon named Sui came out to terrify children while they slept. It was said that children who were touched by the demon would be too scared to cry out and afterwards developed terrible fevers and became mentally unstable. The keep their children safe, parents would stay up and light candles to protect their children from the monster. One year, one set of parents gave their child coins to play with in order to stay awake. The child continually wrapped the coins in paper, opened them then rewrapped them till he was too tired to stay awake. The parents then put the coins under his pillow. When Sui tried to touch the child, he was protected by the coins when they emitted a strong light and scared the demon away. Children in China are still given red envelopes containing money from their parents and other relatives to this day.

These two parts of Chinese legend were completely new to me and I realised how much joy we can have as humans if we embrace different cultures and seek to understand them and their values. Chinese New Year is just one example of other festivals the world needs to work together to keep going. I was incredibly pleased to see the amount of festivities that happened in London over the weekend of Chinese New Year and that it wasn’t just Chinese nationals joining in. I really do feel that the world would be a much more open place if more people opened themselves up to embracing other cultures and values. I would love to see this happen throughout the course of my lifetime.

The one thing I was aware of, was the Chinese Calendar. I had been told the story of the 12 animals racing to decide an order and remember being ecstatic to hear the year of my birth, 1996, was in fact the year of the winning animal, a rat. The fact that it runs as a cycle and we are now in 2020 means that it is supposedly my year this year!

Source: Pinterest: What Your Chinese Zodiac Animal Means for You

The one thing about CNY that I was partially aware of is the story of the Chinese Calendar, especially how the Rat jumps off the head of the Ox to cross the line first and was able to name (and guess) a few of the animals in the story. In my head I always had a mental image of a Wacky-Races type cartoon scene in my head with all 12 creatures constantly fighting for position.

I am fascinated by the idea that these animals all have their friends and enemies within this group of 12 and that being associated with one animal some people can seek guidance based on the characteristics of the animal of their year. I am given to understand that being a Rat means I am supposedly quick-witted, smart and versatile. While it is flattering to think of, I am suspicious of the conclusions the Zodiac makes about each individuals personality.

What I do think is important to reflect on however, is the competitiveness of the race itself. It is not unlike an architectural competition in that regard. Each animal clearly has physical or behavioural advantages over the others, and I think it is important to discuss how the Rat won. He is neither the biggest, the fastest or the strongest but was somehow able to get over the line first without too much difficulty. He took a risk, calculating who he thought would win and hopped on board for a ride but he still had the tenacity to win the race. Some would say he cheated, others would say he won fair and square. A competition will often comprise studios or various size, experience, skill and reputation but it should always the practice that puts the most thoughtful design forward that wins. It is an intellectual battle amongst artists, where the winner will bring something to the table that may be unconceivable to others.

When one thinks of a Rat Race nowadays, they either think of the 2001 high stakes comedy film or of Rat Race adventures, a competitive adventure competition held in the UK. Both of which take their name from the Zodiac and refer to the high energy, creative thinking type that wins the race in the end. I think we can see a lot of the same traits in successful people today and would encourage anybody to think about what sort of traits you have as a person and how you can be successful.

Source: Paramount Pictures

Whilst applying for every architectural job under the sun this week I’ve come to understand that life mirrors what the race of the zodiac teaches. It is also the most determined people and the ones who best use their skills to their advantage who become the most successful in life. Whilst I am working extremely hard to develop myself as a designer and as a writer, I need to always remember how best to use the skills I have been given. I think its extremely healthy that the world has become a competitive place and I need no further evidence of this when I’m in the hunt for an architectural assistant job.

I am more than aware of the competitiveness of applying for a handful of sought after jobs. I believe there is an inescapable air of competitivity in architecture, brought about by the ability to see first-hand what others are doing and a desire to emulate them. Architecture is visual and it is sensual. Learning from others is part of the profession and those that learn fastest have an edge over their competitors.

I want to learn from every source I can and understand as many different people and perceptions as possible. I believe this makes you a more informed and acute designer making your work accessible to more people. I believe the ability to maximise potential is the real skill of the Rat in the Race, who demonstrated his ability is to be cunning and cling on and take his opportunity. Whatever animal you are, there is always a way you can win the race.

So while the job search is scary and stressful, I remain hopeful that something will come along soon and I am ready when the time comes.

Until next time,

RK