Cultural Perspectives on Fear
Last summer my father-in-law sadly passed away. Bill was a courageous, generous, and disciplined man who immigrated from China in the 80s. Through my introductions to Chinese culture and my wife’s family, the color red became a powerful theme signifying life transitions. In Chinese culture wearing red is traditionally associated with good luck, happiness, and protection against misfortune.
After Krystle and I got engaged, Bill gave me a red bracelet with a gold pendant (one that I still wear in his honor today). At our wedding we had a tea ceremony to show respect to our parents and unify our two families. My wife and I wore red Qipaos in celebration of our union. As Bill neared the end of his life, we wore red socks and clothing in preparation for his death. Red is believed to ward off the spirits of the afterlife, protecting the living as death nears. Cultural rituals such as wearing red and burning ‘afterlife money’ to send with the dead provided our family comfort in a time of fear. Wearing red also signified all the other parts of my life Bill had touched and I felt immense gratitude and grief. It was an honor to have Bill as my father-in-law and a sacred gift to be present as Bill left this earth.
Fear is a universal emotion, but its expression and interpretation varies significantly across cultures. Fear is shaped by societal norms and values. For example, in collectivist cultures, like in many Asian and Latino countries, their values emphasize communal harmony. For example, fear of losing face or bringing shame to one’s family may feel more pronounced than individual fears.
In Mexican culture, they celebrate the Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muerto). The Day of the Dead confronts the fear of death head on, where death is honored and acknowledged, thereby diffusing fear about mortality (Giardina, Carolyn, 2017).
Different cultures also have nuanced ways of coping with fear. In many Eastern cultures, mindfulness and meditation is common practice to manage fear and soothe anxiety. In African cultures, communal gatherings and storytelling are used to address fears collectively, providing a sense of solidarity and shared experience.
Fear, while a common human experience, is deeply influenced by cultural contexts. By exploring these diverse perspectives, we can foster empathy and acceptance. Acknowledging the cultural nuances of fear enriches our knowledge and helps us navigate our own fears in a new way.
