China! Ah, what an interesting place. A place much different from Canada. Although we can find some of their culture here, we are not able to fully understand and experience their idea of beauty. This blog is focused on modern beauty in China straying from their traditions.
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This may come as a shock to some of us but in China, to be pale is beautiful, yes I said pale! This is the exact opposite from the ideal image in North America and Europe. The answer? I'm not 100% sure but I've found an interesting reason, in countries who are less developed, those living in or near poverty usually worked outside farming and what not (making their skin more tanned) and those who are considered wealthy will normally be working inside at an office. So pale could mean wealth.
Citizens (mostly women) will go to many extremes to reach that perfect complexion. Many use types of bleaches and whitening makeup and will walk around outside with an umbrella to avoid a tan. To me this seems like a lot of work, but at the same time so is trying to keep up a tan! This may just be society speaking here but I do find a nice tan very attractive (not that there is anything wrong with being white or pale!).
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| before&after sugery (not from experience on the left) |
Another element of beauty in China is big eyes. Often, when we think about a Chinese person, we visualize their eyes as being smaller and somewhat squinted. However many modern day Chinese women do not find their natural look appealing, and will once again go to extremes to change that. Double eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty is what it's called and is done frequently in China. I found one experience of a women who had the procedure. Overall she explained it was very painful but seemed like it was worth it (
http://chienna.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/eyelid-surgery-my-experience/ her experience + details!). Although this surgery may seem odd, it is no different then breast augmentation and facial plastic surgery in North America. Personally I don't agree with any type of unnecessary surgery, but it's not my body, it's yours. Do to it as you wish. (P.S I don't recommend looking up pictures or videos of this surgery, made me cringe!
After reading about these new ways of beauty in China I'm not as surprised as I am bothered by these new looks (more so the double eyelid surgery) because it's the exact opposite of natural Chinese features.
Sources:
http://thecircular.org/the-pressures-to-be-beautiful-in-asia-china/
http://www.quora.com/Why-do-Westerners-like-being-tan-while-Asians-prefer-being-pale
http://chienna.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/eyelid-surgery-my-experience/
http://www.bkhospital.com/images/help/photo/eye2_120401_04_s(3).jpg
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I find it interesting that the different regions of the world that people live in define their style of life. Humans are forced to adapt to their environment and by doing so, live by different standards. Therefore, humans are the same, but different. The adaptation to a specific environment defines a people’s culture, religion, traditions and way of life. It also characterizes a people’s definition of beauty. I like that you acknowledged the different views on the idea of what beauty is because it is something that could be interpreted very differently in various cultures and nations.
ReplyDeleteI once watched a documentary about an Oriental woman going through extreme surgery in order to become Western-looking because that's what is seen as beautiful in her society. It truly goes to show that humans have a tendency to want whatever they don't have. It is saddening that in order to feel confident people find it necessary to mutilate themselves. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI found it surprising when I read that Oriental woman prefer to be pale than tan. It is opposite to what we prefer (or what most of us prefer). What I found really interesting was when you talked about pale skin being a sign of wealth. I hadn't thought about it like that until you mentioned it and I agree that that argument makes complete sense. I find it odd that these women choose to preserve a natural pale skin tone, yet they choose to get surgeries that take away from their natural beauties.
ReplyDeleteAs disheartening as it is to witness the extremes taken to be acceptably beautiful, at least we know a place where all the light skin people can feel more confident and comfortable! Haha, it's a rather pathetic silver lining, but all the same, what are we if not optimistic? Your entire series of perceived beauty varying depending on where you are in the world is really fascinating. It goes to show just how different we are as a species, and supports the idea that some realities aren't the least bit objective! Great and horrible stuff (double eyelid surgery is freaky), keep it coming!
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