There are some things in life we can’t live without. In ancient China, these things were firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. This collection of 7 essentials were collectively referred to as “the daily sevens” (开门七件事), a phrase that dates back to the Song Dynasty and literally translates to “the seven things of opening the door”. This expression reflects how food and sustenance are valued highly in Chinese culture. Learning about the Daily 7 tradition was just one of the insights I gained while visiting the Mei Ho House museum in Hong Kong today.
The Mei Ho House was built as part of Hong Kong’s first public housing policies after nearly 60,000 people were displaced from the Shek Kip Mei fire in 1953. The attempt to quickly house villages worth of people made for questionable living conditions. A standard unit was only 120 square feet, but allocated to 5 or more adults, meaning a per capita area of only about 24 square feet.
History can help explain the development of contemporary culture. One thing I’ve noticed is the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong society. It seems everyone always has places to be and things to do. It’s no surprise that the hustle mindset is engrained in the culture when not even 2 generations ago families struggled to get by. One of the most shocking facts I learned was that during a drought in 1963, the government only supplied water for hours once in every four days. Even water, the source of life, was not a guarantee.
This museum exhibition gave me a better understanding and appreciation for the resilience of the people of Hong Kong. Upon reflection, this experience has made me more aware of the simple aspects of life that I rarely stop to appreciate. I invite you to take this moment and reflect, what are your daily 7s?
