Uncovering Mao Zedong’s Surprising Hobbies and Interests

Uncovering Mao Zedong’s Surprising Hobbies and Interests

Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, is often viewed as a stern and unapproachable leader who devoted his life to politics. However, contrary to popular belief, Mao had a range of hobbies and interests that were an integral part of his personality. Let’s take a closer look at some surprising aspects of Mao Zedong’s personal life.

1. Poetry and Calligraphy

Despite his revolutionary credentials and political pursuits, Mao was also a prolific poet and calligrapher. He wrote over 38,000 poems throughout his life, which reflected his love for nature, nationalist sentiments, and personal experiences. Mao also created his unique style of calligraphy, which was heavily influenced by traditional Chinese brushstrokes and symbols.

2. Swimming

As an avid swimmer, Mao used to swim in the Yangtze river regularly. Swimming was not just a hobby for Mao but became a symbol of his conquest over nature, a metaphor for his unstoppable will and determination.

3. Film and Literature

Mao was an admirer of film and literature. He read voraciously and had a personal library, which included some rare manuscripts and books. Mao’s favorite authors were Lu Xun, Shi Zhecun, and Guo Moruo, to name a few. Mao believed that writing and film played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, and he used the medium for propaganda.

4. Cooking

Mao had a passion for cooking and used to experiment with different cuisines, especially Hunanese dishes. He even wrote a cookbook that contained his personal recipes that became popular among his followers.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine

Mao was a believer of traditional Chinese Medicine and also practiced it himself along with other Maoist leaders. Mao credited traditional Chinese medicine with saving his life multiple times, and it became an essential part of his political ideology as he framed it as a way to eliminate the perceived immorality and ineffective economy of western medicine.

In Conclusion, Mao Zedong may have been a revolutionary leader, but he was also a man with diverse passions and interests. His hobbies and interests offer a glimpse into the personal life of one of the most remarkable and controversial figures of the twentieth century. These aspects of Mao’s life are not just a curiosity, but they also present us with a fuller understanding of the mindset and motivations of Mao and the legacy that he left behind.