It seems that fewer Singapore households these days display the national flag. Dr Leong Chan-Hoong of Kantar Public looks at what the national symbols mean to Singaporeans and how they can be made more relatable.
SINGAPORE: National Day is traditionally a period of collective reflection. Every year, we look back on our past and consider what lies ahead of us.
This year is no exception. Given the polarised and divisive world today, issues of confidence and cohesion have never been more important as we navigate multiple global crises.
With the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth's authorisation, the Singapore flag may now be put up at home outside of the National Day period for a gazetted time, for example, when athletes win medals in international sports. It can also be displayed without a flagpole and illumination at night.
The new regulations aim to empower Singaporeans to express their pride and solidarity with fellow citizens.
While it is too early to conclude if this framework can lead to a behavioural change, it is worthwhile to distil the meaning of national flags and their psychological impact on individuals.
NATIONAL FLAG AS A SYMBOL
The national flag is a cultural symbol that plays a pivotal role in shaping nationhood, identity and a sense of belonging. Throughout history, a profound sense of pride and patriotism is unfailingly evoked when a flag is raised.
The flag of United Kingdom for instance, combines the crosses of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland under one sovereignty. The flag projects a vision of a unity in spite of historical tensions between the regions.
Similarly, the flag of the former Soviet Union depicts a hammer and sickle to represent the interests of workers and peasants, who were once the constituents in the founding of the communist bloc.
The Singapore national flag comprises a crescent moon and five stars. The former signifies a young country, and the latter represents the ideals of Singapore: Democracy, justice, peace, progress and equality. These are the core values that define Singapore citizenship and our social compact.
WHAT NATIONAL FLAGS MEAN TO PEOPLE
National flags can evoke honour and patriotism, but they can also foster nationalist sentiment and prejudicial attitudes.
A 2017 study, published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology by me and my international colleagues, asked 2,230 university students across 11 countries what concepts they associate their national flags with.
While US respondents linked the American flag with democracy and freedom, they also ascribed less positive attributes such as global power, hegemony and aggression to it - a result of the US’ overseas military operations where the flag is planted on foreign soil.
In contrast, Singapore respondents connected the national flag with conformity and obedience, as well as honour and tradition. The survey findings suggest while people in Singapore subscribe to conservative values, they also endorse benevolence.
Source from Channel News Asia
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