Textbook cover fever shows China’s unique culture and aesthetics

Photo: Courtesy of Xiaoguang Shijie

Recently, the topic "Take photos of a textbook cover by chance" has swiftly gone viral online. This earnest and lively form of communication quickly gained favor with the public and now textbook covers have become a hit template with which everyone can create textbook-style photos. 

Following the conclusion of the two sessions, some media began to use textbook cover templates to introduce the 2024 government commitments. People have also been sharing scenic photos or short videos with textbook covers in the background. Beautiful scenery or interesting moments lively displayed against such a background reveals a unique Chinese romance. 

Many cultural and tourism departments have launched textbook covers featuring their iconic urban landscapes that make viewers feel as if they are immersed in vivid paintings. Some have included ancient verses from classic poetry, illustrating Eastern aesthetics from a new perspective. 

For example, Beijing, as the capital city of China with a long history and profound cultural heritage, enjoys abundant historical sites. You can easily find beautiful scenery from the capital in Chinese textbooks or, in the city itself, find the source materials used for textbooks in various disciplines such as mathematics, English, biology, art, geography and chemistry. 

The attractions in the city are rich and colorful. Historical relics, natural scenery, modern architecture, or scientific and educational atmosphere make visitors want to linger and gain further knowledge and inspiration. No wonder the cultural and tourism department in the city has presented landmark scenic spots in a textbook style, allowing viewers to personally experience the beauty and art of life and perceive history and the passing of time.

So why has this movement been so successful? It is because these textbook covers bear memories. Psychologically, recalling the past or nostalgia brings warmth, which can be explained in the following aspects. 

First comes self-identification. Nostalgia is an exploration and confirmation of self-identity. By recalling the past, people can re-examine their years of growth and seek the values and interests that are still relevant to their present. 

Second is emotional satisfaction. For instance, when recalling your childhood, you may think of those people or things that once accompanied you and then derive pleasure and happiness from them. 

Third, nostalgia is a social currency that users want to share. Imagine attending a reunion with your classmates; you will find that discussing engaging shared experiences makes it easier to break the ice and helps everyone get to know each other better. 

At this time, nostalgia is a social currency that makes it easier to gain common ground. Magically, the past that an individual yearns for is not objective but a projection of the present emotions onto the past. During this process, individuals recombine the past, automatically filtering and eliminating some negative feelings. This is why it is usually called a rosy memory.

Artistic works bring people a pleasant aesthetic experience. Aesthetically, a textbook cover is a vehicle of art, namely, an expression of beauty because beauty is a source of art. When breathtaking views integrate with textbook covers from our memories, the picturesque scene adds a literary touch and the scenery comes to life. 

Artworks, with their unique forms and emotional connotations, reach out to people's minds and souls, leading them into the wonderful realm that transcends the material world. Art is not only an external visual means of enjoyment but also brings an inner shock and resonance.

Taking pictures with Chinese language book covers as a background indicates people's yearning for the Mother Nature. Whether they are poetic landscapes or historical sites, these photos express their desire to get close to nature. Besides this, what you have learned from textbooks is like a seed buried in your mind and, after years of growing, ultimately bursts into flowers that hit our hearts precisely, which is a vivid portrayal of the long-term and delayed nature of education.

The stir caused by textbook covers provides us with psychological and aesthetic value. In addition, it enriches forms of social media that feature diversity. However, we should also pay attention to content when we engage in this creative endeavor to avoid negative connotations or providing dangerous guidance. 

Like a time machine, textbook covers allow us to escape from the hustle and bustle of today and embark on a journey to the past, shuttling through the rivers of time and recollecting the stories that have been sealed in our memories. When we wake up, our hearts are filled with life's warmth.

The author is a faculty member with the School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China. [email protected]