Hero Country

flame iconDo you know the Chinese name for Britain?

In many cases the Chinese pick a flattering word that sounds a bit like the native name, and add it to guó, which means “country”. For the UK they based it on England to get yīng guó. (Tone is important for meaning. Yīng is flat and guó rises.) Literally, it means “hero country”.

I’m rather chuffed to live in Hero Country. And, you know, we used to think of ourselves like that. The old British legends, hailing from what’s now Wales, referred to the land as the Island of the Mighty.

The mythologian Joseph Campbell said that many mythic tales follow a template he called “the hero’s journey”. It’s become pretty well-known to folks who are interested in story. The hero begins amidst everyday life, but some change inside them or the world around them disrupts that and propels them out into the wider world in pursuit of some goal. Along the way they may meet a mentor or helpers. They must overcome challenges to reach their goal but eventually they succeed. Then they return to their people, bringing some benefit with them: wisdom, treasure, magic or even just their own growth into a version of themselves with greater capacity to live well and help others.

Is this just old stories that don’t matter? Well, how is everyday life working out for you these days? Does it fit, or does it, you know, itch a bit? Do you want to be more? Do you want your country to be more? When you look around, do you see people treating each other with justice and compassion? Maybe it’s time for a bit of a journey; even just a little one, to learn or connect to something and bring it back.

Remember, people halfway around the world have already given you the title of hero. Maybe they were just being polite. Or maybe they were on to something.

 

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