Meet Feng Jianhan: China’s Flag‑Raising Heroine
Every day, nine‑year‑old Feng Jianhan steps into his homemade world of patriotism. He slides into his olive‑green army outfit, pokes a cap onto his head, and neatly slips on white satin gloves. When the national anthem swells, he strides to his homemade pulley system and hoists a flag that’s almost as proud as the nation itself.
“National Flag Baby” Takes the Spotlight
Dubbed the “national flag baby” by Chinese media, Jianhan has become a nationwide sensation. His flag‑raising routine has populated videos, social media, and even TV shows, especially as the country gears up for its 70th anniversary of Communist rule.
Daily Rituals
“Raising the flag is part of my everyday routine,” he proudly explains. “It’s like brushing my teeth or washing my face – you just can’t skip it!”
The Origin Story
His fascination began as a toddler who, after a tough day, found comfort in hearing the national anthem during a televised flag‑raising ceremony. From that moment, his parents turned every cry into a moment of mindfulness: they’d play the anthem and show him footage of flag‑raising events until the tears dried.
From Pillow to Pulley
As Jianhan grew, he wanted to recreate the ceremony at home, dreaming of sowing the flag himself. He asked for a uniform, a flag, and a pulley system – and got them. He sources the uniform from a surplus army market, grills a flag from a specialty store, and builds the pulley from a construction supply shop.
Meanwhile, his ambitions keep rising higher.
Dreaming Big: Tiananmen Square
“I want to raise the flag at Tiananmen Square in Beijing,” Jianhan announced, referencing the iconic square where the daily flag‑raising ceremony unfolds. A boy on a mission, a flag in hand, and a whole nation watching.
His story reminds us all that one small act of dedication can inspire a whole country, echoing the rallying backdrop of a nation’s anthem and a little boy who believes that even a flag can be worth a daily ritual.
