Mr. Klus' small collection of Mao Pins One of the most ubiquitous symbols of the Cultural Revolution was the Mao pin. Estimates suggest that as many as five billion were produced and distributed throughout China, with the majority being made between 1966 and 1969. Most pins bear a left profile of Mao (symbolizing the direction of the revolution). Some have a frontal view, but there are few of pictures of Mao facing right. Many pins also contain political slogans. Often pins also carry symbols or historic references. These include : *red rays surrounding Mao, as he is the sun in the heart of the Chinese people. *sunflowers, which always face the sun. Mao is the sun, the flowers represent the people. *Tiananmen, located in Beijing, from which Mao proclaimed the establishment of the P.R.C. in 1949. *Flags and banners, symbolizing the unity of the people. *the pagoda at Yan an, where the Communist Party was headquartered during the Sino-Japanese War. The reverse side of many pins notes the place where the pin was manufactured and some also have political slogans. The vast majority of pins were made from aluminum, though many other materials were used, including porcelain, bamboo, gold, jade, and ivory. The image of Mao varies on the pins, from his young days at Anyuan (1921) to his days as soldier and revolutionary on the Long March (1934), through his ascension to leader of the P.R.C. (1949) up to images contemporary with the Cultural Revolution (1966). Wearing a Mao pin was both a visual symbol of solidarity with Mao and Mao Zedong Thought, and a way to avoid suspicion. Those of dubious class background were prohibited from wearing them, so to be caught NOT wearing a pin was to invite trouble. 1 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
1.Description: Rectangular pin divided diagonally top left to bottom right. Blue sector on bottom contains Tiananmen, radiating, and the crescent moon. The red top contains left profile of Mao above globe, looking to rocket heading out. Vertical banner on right: "New Era of Mao Zedong Thought". Reverse: Feb. 1, 1967; #249. 35 mm x 23 mm. pin containing left profile of Mao with radiating lines. No script on pin. Diameter: 30 mm 2 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
Description: Pin resembles a red banner blowing from the west (left), with a raised left profile of Mao in the center. Lines radiating from profile to all edges. Sunflowers in lower left corner are turned to the sun (Mao). Horizontal banner at bottom: "The birth and growth of everything depends on the sun." Reverse: "Provided by Educational Instruments Factory of Guangdong Province." 2.8 cm x 2.2 cm pin with gold raised left profile of Mao center, on red background with lines radiating to edges. Reverse: Shandong Province; 2009 2.4 cm diameter 3 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
Description: Rectangular pin. Red, with raised gold edge, script and left profile of Mao. Script: (top line) "Serve the People; (bottom line) "Mao Zedong". Reverse: Factory 705 4.5 cm x 1.5 cm Description: Gold pentagonal pin with raised gold left profile of Mao at center, surrounded by circle of red. Red tabs on banners on Mao s collar, red lines radiating from Mao. Radiating lines continue on gold edge of pentagon. Reverse: 2; "Be an Excellent soldier of Chairman Mao"; Made by Political Department of Military District of Hunan Province. 3.1 cm x 3.1cm 4 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
porcelain pin, white background with profile of young Mao, center, in gray tones. Mao has red star on hat, red bars on collar. Red Banners in background, with gray building. Building could be site at Zunyi, where Mao became party leader. Script: "Long Life to Chairman Mao." Reverse: Jiangdezhen; 13 4 cm diameter porcelain pin with color profile of young Mao, possibly derived from the famous painting "Chairman Mao goes to Anyuan." Reverse: "Respectfully wishing long life to Chairman Mao"; Jiangdezhen; 17. 4.6 cm diameter 5 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
Description: Rectangular pin with convex sides. Raised silver profile of Mao surrounded by field of red containing in low relief pictures of pagoda at Yan an (lower left) and Jianggangshan mountain (lower right), above streaming red banners. Upper edge of pin in light blue. Reverse: "Long Life to Chairman Mao" 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm 6 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
porcelain pin with color profile of older Mao at center, surrounded by white background leading to red edge. No script on either side. 4.9 cm diameter 7 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
bamboo pin with color profile of young Mao at center, pagoda at Yan an on right, building at lower left. Reverse: "Respectfully wishing long life to Chairman Mao" 5.3 cm diameter 8 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
pin with raised silver profile of Mao top center, above raised likeness of Tiananmen. Raised silver text across lower edge. Script" Long Life to victory of Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution". Silver textured edge. Reverse: "Long Life to Chairman Mao"; 4402. Imprinted star reverse of Mao profile. 4.1 cm diameter 9 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
Mr. Klus' small collection of Mao Pins plastic pin. Red field with raised gold profile of Mao at center. Red field has lines radiating from Mao. Yan an padoga right center, Yan an mountains left center. Lower edge has gold sunflowers turned toward Mao and likeness of Tiananmen. Reverse: "Long Life to Mao Zedong"; Made in Shanghai 5 cm diameter metal pin with raised silver profile of Mao center, surrounded by smooth field of red. Silver upturned sunflowers along lower edge to left and right of center. At center of lower edge is red heart with character for "Loyalty" above three small silver hearts and upward curve. Reverse: "Unlimited loyalty to Chairman Mao" 4.5 cm diameter 10 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
pin. Raised silver profile of Mao center surrounded by red field containing in low relief scenes from Yan an and large red banner. Reverse: "Long Live Chairman Mao"; Shanghai, China 4.1 cm diameter 11 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM
Mr. Klus' small collection of Mao Pins metal pin with raised silver Mao profile surrounded by red field with radiating lines. Red banner in low relief. Silver train heading left across bottom of pin. Reverse: "The January Revolution Rebellion Train" (A reference to the January Rebellion in Shanghai, 1967, a significant event in the Cultural Revolution.) 6.1 cm diameter Historical Consultant: Kristin Stapleton, History Department, University of Kentucky. Many thanks! 12 of 12 3/17/08 12:27 PM