The Guardian of the Fishing Village

This photo was taken in the Old Fishing Village near Yangshuo. The village is nestled at the foot of beautiful mountains and is surrounded by the river Li on 2 sides. It is famous for being unchanged for over 500 years - and (it seems more importantly) for a famous person's visit - Bill Clinton and his family. Apart from Bill, another famous  person is also in this village - Chairman Mao.

In every single house we could have a peep, we found a picture or pictures of Chairman Mao on the wall of their living room. As for those houses under construction, Chairman Mao's picture was on the frame of the main door during the construction (see the photo). These door frames were also wrapped in red ribbon - must be some symbology for luck and wealth (thats pretty much what all symbols mean in China!).

We assume that Chairman Mao must be regarded as the guardian (God) of the village - someone protecting them and bringing them wealth and luck and anything else they desire.

Actually we found it quite common to have Chairman Mao's pictures hanging on the walls, in the cars or any other major places that people look at most often in Yangshuo and Guilin - Mao is obviously still revered in this district.