Place Name Changes: The Manifestation of Ideological Inferiority and Cultural Insecurity

Introduction

Place names carry profound historical and cultural connotations and are important carriers of national memory. However, in specific historical periods, some place names were forcibly changed, and such behavior often hides deep ideological motivations and cultural insecurity.

From "Fengdu" to "Fengdu," from "Fengtian" to "Shenyang," these seemingly simple renaming behaviors actually expose the typical characteristics of Chinese authoritarian ideology: fear of traditional culture, erasure of historical memory, and insecurity about one's own culture.

Historical Cases of Place Name Changes

Fengdu Changed to Fengdu

Fengdu, anciently called "Fengdu Ghost City," is an important religious and cultural symbol in East Asian traditional culture. In Taoism and folk beliefs, Fengdu is considered the location of the underworld, carrying rich religious and cultural connotations.

The CCP's reason for renaming was "simplifying Chinese characters," claiming that the character "酆" was too complex and not conducive to writing and dissemination. This statement seems reasonable on the surface, but actually cannot withstand scrutiny.

If following this logic, then city names like "Beijing," "Shanghai," "Guangzhou" should all be simplified. Why specifically choose "Fengdu"?

Fengtian Changed to Shenyang

Fengtian, originally named "Shengjing," was the Qing Dynasty's secondary capital, carrying profound historical and cultural connotations. The two characters "Fengtian" themselves embody the traditional cultural concept of "obeying heaven's mandate."

The CCP changed "Fengtian" to "Shenyang," ostensibly to restore the historical place name, but actually to sever connections with Qing Dynasty history and erase traditional cultural memory.

Other Typical Cases

Similar renaming cases are numerous:

• "Beiping" changed to "Beijing"
• "Dihua" changed to "Urumqi"
• "Guisui" changed to "Hohhot"

These renaming behaviors all share a common characteristic: attempting to reshape historical memory by changing place names and severing connections with traditional culture.

Manifestation of Ideological Inferiority

Cultural Nihilism

Renaming behavior reflects typical cultural nihilism characteristics:

1. Denying Traditional Cultural Value: Considering traditional cultural symbols as "feudal superstition" that needs to be "modernized"
2. Severing Historical Inheritance: Cutting connections with historical culture through renaming
3. Erasing Cultural Memory: Attempting to reshape people's cultural cognition through administrative means

Manifestation of Power Will

Renaming behavior reflects the authoritarian system's desire to control and reshape:

1. Cultural Hegemony: Using administrative power to impose cultural concepts
2. Historical Reconstruction: Attempting to rewrite history through place name changes
3. Memory Control: Controlling people's historical memory through symbolic manipulation

Cultural Insecurity

The frequent renaming of place names reflects deep cultural insecurity:

1. Fear of Traditional Culture: Viewing traditional cultural symbols as threats
2. Lack of Cultural Confidence: Unable to face and inherit traditional culture with confidence
3. Cultural Self-Denial: Constantly negating and changing traditional cultural elements

Impact and Consequences

Cultural Memory Loss

Place name changes have caused serious cultural memory loss:

1. Historical Disconnection: Breaking the continuity of historical memory
2. Cultural Amnesia: People gradually forgetting traditional cultural connotations
3. Identity Confusion: Losing cultural identity and belonging

Cultural Heritage Destruction

Renaming behavior has caused irreparable damage to cultural heritage:

1. Symbolic Destruction: Destroying important cultural symbols
2. Tradition Interruption: Interrupting cultural tradition inheritance
3. Heritage Loss: Causing permanent loss of cultural heritage

Social Impact

Place name changes have had profound social impacts:

1. Cultural Identity Crisis: Causing confusion in people's cultural identity
2. Historical Consciousness Weakening: Weakening people's historical consciousness
3. Cultural Confidence Decline: Further declining cultural confidence

Reflection and Enlightenment

Respect for Cultural Heritage

We should respect and protect cultural heritage:

1. Cultural Diversity: Respecting the diversity of cultural expressions
2. Historical Continuity: Maintaining the continuity of historical memory
3. Cultural Inheritance: Properly inheriting and developing traditional culture

Cultural Confidence Building

We should build cultural confidence:

1. Cultural Identity: Establishing correct cultural identity
2. Cultural Pride: Cultivating pride in traditional culture
3. Cultural Innovation: Innovating and developing on the basis of inheritance

Administrative Rationality

Administrative behavior should be rational and scientific:

1. Democratic Decision-Making: Making decisions through democratic procedures
2. Scientific Assessment: Conducting scientific assessment of cultural impacts
3. Public Participation: Allowing public participation in decision-making

Conclusion

Place name changes reflect the authoritarian system's ideological inferiority and cultural insecurity. This behavior not only causes serious damage to cultural heritage but also reveals the system's inability to face traditional culture with confidence.

True cultural confidence should be reflected in respect for and inheritance of traditional culture, not in constant negation and change. Only by establishing correct cultural concepts and building true cultural confidence can we better inherit and develop excellent traditional culture.

The lesson of place name changes tells us that any behavior that attempts to reshape culture through administrative means is doomed to failure. True cultural development requires respect for cultural diversity, inheritance of cultural traditions, and innovation on the basis of inheritance.