As an Asian-American
Exploring Cultural Numerical Significance: Unveiling the Beauty of Diversity
In Western culture, the number seven holds great significance, from the colors of the rainbow to the days of the week and even the musical notes. Interestingly, Asian culture assigns similar importance, but to the number five. These numerical distinctions piqued my curiosity, prompting me to delve deeper into the origins and significance of these cultural differences. What I discovered is a fascinating connection rooted in shamanism, where the numbers three and nine played pivotal roles. Join me on this captivating journey as we explore the stories behind these numbers and appreciate the unique goodness within each culture.
Embracing Differences
When I first arrived in the USA, as an Asian, I encountered the stark contrasts between our cultures, which I never had to think before. However, despite the initial language barrier, my new friends warmly accepted me at the Olathe South High School in Kansas. These experiences made me realize the potential for mutual enrichment and understanding when cultures are properly translated and shared. I came to recognize the inherent value within Western and Asian cultures, acknowledging that such values cannot be standardized or reduced to a singular perspective.
Nourishing Body and Soul
Our bodies possess remarkable adaptability, allowing us to thrive in diverse environments and derive sustenance from varied diets. While some cultures lean towards meat and bread, others prioritize vegetables and rice. The inhabitants of the central Asian plains or the Sahara desert, for instance, thrive on limited access to vegetables, yet maintain remarkable health. Furthermore, I believe our unique cultural traditions may even be imprinted in our DNA, passed down through generations. Such insights invite us to celebrate the intricate relationship between our identities and our physical well-being.
A New Perspective
Rather than imposing our ways on other cultures, I propose a different approach: embracing and appreciating their values. We have much to learn by observing and incorporating the goodness we discover. As an Asian boy in Olathe, Kansas, I yearned to share this perspective with my American friends, but my English skills fell short at the time. Now, as an elderly Asian man, I feel compelled to communicate the essence of my thoughts. To ensure accuracy, I embark on a profound journey to uncover the stories behind the unique numbers found in different cultures. Through this blog, I hope to document and share the wisdom and beauty I encounter along the way.
In a world teeming with diverse cultures, it is crucial that we embrace the richness of our differences. By exploring the significance of numbers across various traditions, we can foster a deeper understanding of one another. Let us celebrate the uniqueness of Western and Asian cultures, cherishing the values they hold dear. As I embark on this journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the mysteries and sharing the goodness that lies within each culture. Together, we can bridge gaps, promote harmony, and truly appreciate the magnificence of our shared human experience.
I began to realize the fundamental differences among the cultures and potential benefits to each other if it is properly translated and shared. There are great values in Western cultures, and so does the Asian cultures. I also realized the values of each culture cannot be standardized. Some mainly eat meats and bread while some eat vegetables and rice. People living on the great plains of central Asia or the Sahara desert have limited access to vegetables but they are healthy.
Our bodies are incredibly sophisticated and smart that they can adapt to different environments and our ability to extract from the food that we eat. Our unique cultures are not only taught from one generation to the next, they may be embedded permanently in our DNAs.
I thought, instead of influencing other cultures and trying to train them to be like us, perhaps we should leave them alone and observe their cultures and values and incorporate their goodness into ours.
As an Asian boy who grew up in Olathe, Kansas, I wanted to share that with my dearest American friends but my English wasn’t good enough to do any of that.
As an old Asian man, I thought I should tell my friends what I wanted to say now that I couldn’t say back then. I don’t know all the facts of what I want to tell them yet. Instead of telling them my wild guesses, I thought it would be best if I will take a long journey to find out the story behind the different numbers in different cultures, and what is so unique about them. And share the goodness of each culture. I hope to record that on this blog site as I move along.