Over the past several months, an East Asian folklore, The Red Thread of Fate, has been circulating on TikTok. According to Chinese folklore, two people are believed to be destined for each other, connected by an invisible red string. The red string may stretch and tangle, but it never breaks, eventually bringing two people together. This theme inspires many and is referenced in media outlets, books, and movies. It’s a storyteller’s classic true love trope, romanticized around the holidays and enjoyed throughout the year.
Like all stories, people interpret them differently, taking what resonates with them and leaving the rest.
When I think of an invisible red string, I picture a baby being born and a skein of yarn gently wrapping around it. As the child grows up, the skein of yarn slowly unravels, sometimes gracefully and other times in ways that are difficult to untangle. The red string moves, ultimately creating an intricate pattern that represents the individuality of each person’s journey. The path is unique and unpredictable but eventually leads to a place destined for you.
While this folklore celebrates true love waiting at the end of the string, it shows that love is always tied to you. Even if you cannot see it now, it’s always there. Through moments of loneliness, fears of abandonment, and sacrifice, the tale reminds me that we’re not alone in our feelings. The complexity of humankind is not simply formulaic, governed by facts and statistics.
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The entanglement of the string symbolizes the challenges and obstacles one might encounter in life. People face battles within themselves and go through tumultuous hardships through death, disease, and tragedies. The unraveling of these knots shows how strong humans can be. Strength is invaluable. We can overcome something that feels defeating or heart-wrenching and still come out on the other end, knowing love is still connected…
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