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Lion Rock Spirit (獅子山下精神) is one of the core valuesthat is inherited by majority of Hong Kong people from generations to generation. The spirit symbolizes the spiritual characteristics of HongKongers. This term is originated from the theme song of a 1970s TV series, Below the Lion Rock, which portrays the real life situation of HongKongers during the period. Despite their life adversaries, they would persist in upholding the Lion Rock Spirit. This spirit enables the socio-economical advancement that transforms Hong Kong into the current cosmopolitan Asian Financial Centre.

Background/Origin (Traditional Lion Rock Spirit)
After the period of baby boomers, due to the social instability in mainland China, an influx of people emigrated to Hong Kong, in a bid to escape from war and persecution in Mainland China and to settle for a normal life. The 1970s is said to be characterized by the rapid economic development and expansion. However, it is still challenging for the grassroots to make a living, as they could earn very little. They could only afford simple foods like white bread and soy sauce rice, and could seldom feel full. The Director of Education stated that 68,000 children between 10 to 14 had discontinued their education due to poverty, and some had to start working to support their families. Fortunately, they work hard collectively and support each other to endure through the adverse living condition and to strive for betterment in their living standard.

RTHK’s Below the Lion Rock drama series that initiates in 1973 captured the joy and struggle of the grassroots as well as the working class who lived in the public housing estates and squatter huts below the Lion Rock. The series demonstrated the living conditions in the 1970s and the mutualistic and persevere HongKongers. Their experiences and values embodied in the series portrayed the spirits that are shared by all Hong Kongers at that time, namely the “Lion Rock Spirit”.

All HongKongers, no matter if they have watched the series or not, would be familiar with the image of Hong Kong people upheld in the series, which can generally be defined as “collectiveness and inclusiveness; encouragement and perseverance”.

Cultural Influence of Below the Lion Rock
The theme song of Below the Lion Rock is a witness to the livelihood in the 1970s to 1990s. Despite the popularity of the song, the symbolic meanings of its lyrics has not generated great cultural significance until Mr. Anthony Leung, the former Financial Secretary cited part of the lyrics in his Budget address in 2002 to uplifted the morale of HongKongers, by reminding them to uphold the “Lion Rock Spirit” and to support each other during adversaries. Since then, Lion Rock Spirit has become a social symbol that represents the cultural identity of HongKongers. Its lyrics have concurrently been referred to in numerous festive and official events, for example, Mr. Zhu Rongji, Premier of People’s Republic of China included part of the lyrics in his speech.

Core values reflected by the lyrics
The lyrics of Below the Lion Rock that symbolized the core values of “Lion Rock Spirit”:

1. 'Putting aside our differences to find common ground. Joining hands to conquer the challenges. In the same boat under the Lion’s Rock, we row together to the ends of the earth.'

Collectiveness(互助) and Inclusiveness(多元包容) are upheld by HongKongers, who would disregard of the social classes and ethnicities difference, and to hold each others’ hands to overcome the adversaries “on the same boat”(同舟共濟). For instance, with their socio-realist values “one for all, all for one”(人人為我、我為人人), they consider the mainland refugees as compatriot(同胞) and would help them adapt to the new environment. The lyrics boosted the morale of HongKongers to collectively conquer water and food shortage, or traumatic events like the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, and SARS epidemic in 2003.

2. 'Life has its challenges. When we all meet under the Lion’s Rock . At least our laughter exceeds our sighs. Together we pursue our dreams, without doubt or fear; together we work hard, to create  our everlasting legend.'

Encouragement(互勉) and Perseverance(努力不懈) of HongKongers are reflected, as they bear the motto of “never give up”(永不放棄) in the face of challenges, and believe that they could “create miracles from the impossible”(化腐朽為神奇) as long as they work hard(成功靠打拚) together to pursue their life goals. Like brothers and sisters, they would share their joy and struggle, in addition to the limited resources, while encouraging and supporting each other in adversaries, in a hope of creating a stable and prosperous future.

Existence of the Lion Rock Spirit
With rapid socio-economic advancement, children nowadays are privileged with free education, and their parents would provide them with the best as they could, like from the latest toy robot to the most recent cell phone model. Besides, foods have become more abundant, instead of worrying about starvation, government is encouraging citizens to produce less food wastes. The older generation commented that younger generation nowadays do not possess the “Lion Rock Spirit”, as they do not experience the challenges imposed by the adverse living environment in the 1970s and they tend to give up when facing challenges. However, the new generation still share the traditional “Lion Rock Spirit” by adapting the values to the current social context.

Perseverance
Nowadays, the new generation would persevere to earn a living despite the intense competition in education and employment aspects. In the past, it was easier for citizens without much educational background to earn enough for a living, as long as they worked hard in their jobs, as each sweatdrop accounts for the rewards they receive. With a population of higher educational level, the current social context embraces a well-educated workforce. A survey indicated that 70% of undergraduate students would equip themselves with a certificate of tertiary education not based on their own interest but to be more competent in seizing the employment opportunity for upward social mobility. Thus, children nowadays still uphold the traditionally shared perseverance in attaining their life goals.

Inclusiveness
Moreover, inclusiveness of foreign residents is still cherished by the new generation in the multicultural Hong Kong community. In numerous occasions, local people would live harmoniously with foreigners. For examples, they would celebrate together at bars in Lan Kwai Fong during festive moments, whereas, foreign students are blended into local and international schools to study collectively with local students. The new generation also welcome the integration of the cultures that foreign residents have imported to local context. Foreign cuisine restaurants that line up the localised “Little Thailand” in Kowloon City and “Korean Street” on Kimberley Road, are always packed with both local and foreign customers. All of these reflect the inclusiveness of HongKongers on the 451,000 non-Chinese residents in Hong Kong.

The rise of Modernized Lion Rock Spirit
With the economic stability, the new generation becomes more actively in fighting for socio-political improvements. A modernized “Lion Rock Spirit” is generally portrayed out which is to assemble together and fight commonly for real democracy, social equality and justice. As initiated by the Anti-Express Railway Protest, young people become more mobilized to voice out their opinions and demands through active political participation. More adolescents have joined the protests and public consultations on issues like anti-moral and national education, the amendments in housing policy and democratic reform for universal suffrage in the legislative and executive positions. The “Lion Rock Spirit” is redefined by the new generation through integrating the traditionally shared collectiveness and perseverance to strive for upward social mobility and economic advancement, with the recent socio-political context in fighting for a just and fair society.