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——Seeing the Singaporean spirit from the national flag and paperweights The morning light of August penetrates the mist of the Merlion, and the crescent-shaped flag flutters in the Marina Bay. This red and white national flag not only carries the vision of multi-ethnic unity, but also embodies the eternal pursuit of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality with its five stars. The orchid-shaped paperweights placed in many Singaporean homes tell another profound meaning with their warm stone and flexible orchid petals. The importance of paperweights lies in the use of a stable foundation to resist the turmoil of the outside world. The base of orchid paperweights is often carved with granite, just like the pragmatic character of Singapore tempered in the scarcity of resources. At the beginning of independence in 1965, facing the difficulties of small land and shortage of fresh water, the builders opened ports and built public housing with the “granite spirit”, turning the crisis into an opportunity. The orchid blooming above the paperweight symbolizes the vitality bursting out of flexibility, just as Singaporeans can abide by the rule of law and order, and open up new frontiers such as biotechnology and financial technology with innovative thinking. When the red glow of the national flag is reflected on the orchid paperweight, the philosophy of combining firmness and flexibility comes to life: it is as firm as a rock, and as graceful as an orchid. This balanced wisdom allows Singapore to maintain its cultural roots in the tide of globalization while embracing change with an open mind. In this National Day month, I hope that every son and daughter of the island nation will become the “paperweight” of their own life, hold up the blueprint of their dreams with a firm will, and let the little red dot on the equator always shine with the light of hope.

——從國旗與紙鎮看新加坡精神八月的晨光穿透魚尾獅噴薄的水霧，星月旗在濱海灣獵獵飄揚。這面由紅白相間構成的國旗，不僅承載著多元種族團結的願景，更以五顆星凝聚著民主、和平、進步、正義與平等的永恆追求。而許多新加坡人家中擺放的胡姬花造型鎮紙，則以溫潤石質與柔韌蘭瓣，訴說著另一重深意。鎮紙之重，在於以沉穩根基對抗外界的動盪。蘭花鎮紙的底座常以花崗岩雕琢，恰似新加坡在資源匱乏中淬煉出的務實品格——1965年獨立之初，面對國土狹小、淡水短缺等困境，建設者以”花崗岩精神”開港口、建組屋，將危機化為轉機。紙鎮上方綻放的胡姬花，則象徵著柔韌中迸發的生命力，正如新加坡人既能恪守法治秩序，又以創新思維開拓生物科技、金融科技等新邊疆。當國旗的赤色輝光映照在蘭花鎮紙上，剛柔並濟的哲學躍然眼前：既有磐石般的堅定，又有蘭草的優雅適應。這種平衡智慧，讓新加坡在全球化浪潮中既保有文化根脈，又以開放胸襟擁抱變革。值此國慶月，願每個島國兒女都成為自己人生的”鎮紙”，以堅定的心志托舉起夢想的藍圖，讓赤道小紅點永遠閃耀希望之光。

——从国旗与镇纸看新加坡精神

八月的晨光穿透鱼尾狮喷薄的水雾，星月旗在滨海湾猎猎飘扬。这面由红白两色构成的国旗，不仅承载着多元种族团结的愿景，更以五颗星辰凝聚着民主、和平、进步、正义与平等的永恒追求。而许多新加坡人家中摆放的胡姬花造型镇纸，则以温润石质与柔韧兰瓣，诉说着另一重深意。

镇纸之重，在于以沉稳根基对抗外界的动荡。兰花镇纸的底座常以花岗岩雕琢，恰似新加坡在资源匮乏中淬炼出的务实品格——1965年独立之初，面对国土狭小、淡水短缺等困境，建设者以”花岗岩精神”开港口、建组屋，将危机化为转机。镇纸上方绽放的胡姬花，则象征着柔韧中迸发的生命力，正如新加坡人既能恪守法治秩序，又以创新思维开拓生物科技、金融科技等新边疆。

当国旗的赤色辉光映照在兰花镇纸上，刚柔并济的哲学跃然眼前：既有磐石般的坚定，又有兰草的优雅适应。这种平衡智慧，让新加坡在全球化浪潮中既保有文化根脉，又以开放胸襟拥抱变革。值此国庆月，愿每个岛国儿女都成为自己人生的”镇纸”，以坚定的心志托举起梦想的蓝图，让赤道小红点永远闪耀希望之光。