Mao's image is hip and trendy among many young Chinese.

By Zhu Shanshan

As with many international political figures, the face of Chairman Mao Zedong now graces T-shirts, bags, clocks and watches. His image has transformed into a modern day pop-icon, a move that is being embraced by young people but comes with a word of caution from older generations.

On August 18, 1966, Zhu Chengying was a student at Beijing University of Post & Telecommunication and along with thousands of others she went to Tiananmen Square to listen to
an address from Chairman Mao. She told the Global Times that the growing trend of Mao accessories is a good way to remember him but people should be careful not to over-exploit his image.

"Reinterpreting Mao's image is easier for younger generations to remember the old days. But we shouldn't distort the leader's image," Zhu said.

Zhu recalled being part of the crowd waving to Mao for his speech that marked the start of Dachuanlian, when the Communist Party of China encouraged young people to travel around the country and talk about their revolutionary experiences.

"That day was one of the happiest moments in my life," Zhu said. "Tiananmen Square was full of students and we were so proud to meet our leader."

As the Cultural Revolution gathered steam, Mao's image quickly became ubiquitous in China. Led by youth groups like the Red Guards, the Cultural Revolution witnessed a concerted effort to deify Mao. His picture, quotations and badges with his portrait, Da Zibao, could be seen everywhere.

"Pinning Chairman Mao badges slightly above the heart at that time meant to show our loyalty to our leader and some even pinned the badges directly into their skin to show that they put Chairman Mao in their heart," said 59-year-old Zhou Guangming, who traveled to Beijing from his hometown in southwest Guizhou Province during the Cultural Revolution.

Four decades later, Mao is no longer worshipped as he once was, but his image can be seen everywhere. The only difference is that it has been transformed into pop culture.

Dominic Johnson-Hill, a British man who has lived in China for 16 years and owns a T-shirt store called Plastered in Beijing's Nanluoguxiang, frequently uses Mao's image on his products. One image sees an old portrait of Mao colored in the style of a stained glass window in a church.

"Mao Zedong was the Jesus to Chinese people," Johnson-Hill said. "I used colors of stained glass in a church as a sincere place for Westerners to reflect on Mao's status in China. I changed the stern and serious image into a new and fashionable one," he added, explaining that his work was to mark to celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of New
China.

Walking along Nanluoguxiang, a popular arts and crafts lane in Beijing, Mao's image can be found on all kinds of products. T-shirts, coffee mugs, tea towels, watches and clocks all sport Mao's iconic portrait and famous quotes.

"I like the T-shirts with Mao's image on them and bags in the green military color that were popular during the Cultural Revolution," said Yu Nengda, a 23-year-old man shopping in Nanluoguxiang.

"I am not a fan of Chairman Mao, who was a polarizing figure in Chinese history, but his image is a fashion icon now and those clothes and products are pretty cool and fashionable," Yu said.

"Mao is no longer a god to our generation who never experienced the old hard days. But I do think these items are interesting," said Song, a young woman who bought a box of Mao
matches. "It's very trendy to have some pieces of old stuff. In recent years, movies and TV shows all have revolutionary themes. It's a kind of nostalgia," she added.

"It is crucial for the younger generation to remember Chairman Mao andm our history," Zhu explained.

Having experienced the Cultural Revolution first hand, Zhou does not think that many young people today really know Mao.

"People wearing Mao today just feel it is fashionable," he said. "It's quite different from what we felt over four decades ago, but I think those images could inspire them to know Mao better and understand what he did." Zhou added that it is important for young people to remember the Cultural Revolution and celebrate the development of New China today.