in989-Sparkling-Orchid-Heart-The-Eternal-Spirit-of-Singapore

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The August sun shines over the Marina Bay, and the star-moon pattern and red and white stripes of the Singapore flag reflect the eternal light of the spirit of independence. This National Day season, a cluster of eternal flames is passed from one palm to another – the orchid-shaped commemorative lighters are telling the story of the nation’s resilience with tiny flames. The five stars on the national flag are a promise of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. Just as the orchid blooms proudly despite the wind and rain, Singaporeans always uphold the character of “strength and courage” in the tide of the times. The leaping flame of the lighter is the embodiment of this spirit: it not only symbolizes the fire of independence ignited when the country was founded in 1965, but also means the mission of inheritance shouldered by every citizen. When the thumb gently rubs the gear of the lighter, the sound of metal friction is like the clanging footsteps of our ancestors pioneering. The moment the flame rises, it illuminates the heart of unity across race, language and religion. This flame is not afraid of wind and rain, just like Singapore’s transformation from a fishing village to a garden city. It has the wisdom of orchids, elegant and calm, and the determination of stars and moons to guide the direction. The warmth in the palm of your hand today is the gift passed down by our predecessors, and the oath of future generations to continue their struggle. When we gaze at the national flag fluttering and turn the orchid lighter to light the candle, we are continuing the legend of this island country’s “small country with great ambitions”. The true patriotic spirit is hidden in these small but firm flames, always burning and shining.

八月的陽光灑在濱海灣上空，新加坡國旗的星月圖案與紅白條紋輝映著獨立精神的永恆光芒。這個國慶季，一簇不滅的火焰在人們掌心傳遞──蘭花造型的紀念打火機，正以微小火光訴說著民族的韌性。國旗上的五顆星是民主、和平、進步、正義、平等的承諾，正如胡姬蘭歷經風雨仍傲然綻放，新加坡人在時代浪潮中始終秉持”剛強勇毅”的品格。而打火機躍動的火苗，恰是這份精神的具象化：它既像徵1965年建國時點燃的獨立火種，更意味著每個公民肩負的傳承使命。當拇指輕擦打火機齒輪的瞬間，金屬摩擦聲如同先輩拓荒的鏗鏘足音。火焰騰起的剎那，照亮的是跨越種族、語言、宗教的團結。這簇火苗不懼風雨，正如新加坡從漁村蛻變為花園城市的歷程，既有蘭花般優雅從容的智慧，亦有星月指引方向的篤定。今日掌心的溫熱，是前人薪火相傳的饋贈，更是後人接續奮鬥的誓言。當我們凝視國旗飄揚，轉動蘭花打火機點燃燭光，便是在續寫這個島國”小國大志”的傳奇。真正的愛國精神，就藏在這些微小而堅定的火光裡，永遠熾熱，永遠閃耀。