One morning in August 1968, a factory worker named Wang Xiaoping overheard news of a mysterious mandatory meeting. Rumors whispered through the cafeteria described shipments of a gift from the country’s communist leader, Chairman Mao Zedong. As it turned out, managers soon dispersed a gift to every factory worker—a glass box encasing a golden wax replica of a mango. Wang Xiaoping’s factory wasn’t the only facility to receive this unusual offering. The Chairman gifted fresh mangoes to factories across China, leading employees to stay up late, touching the fruits and contemplating the meaning behind Mao’s gesture.
Some workers tried to preserve the fresh mangoes in formaldehyde, while others ate the fruit and commissioned wax replicas of their prize. In one factory, workers initiated a strange ritual: peeling and boiling their mangoes to create a “holy” broth that was spooned into their mouths. Since traditional Chinese medicine often involves boiling ingredients, it’s possible this mango wine was concocted as a kind of healing tonic. Soon, fables formed that the fruit ensured a long life like the Peaches of Immortality from Chinese mythology. And by refusing to eat the mangoes himself, Mao had generously sacrificed his own longevity for the working class.
However, this mango mania wasn’t as frivolous as it might seem. Its harmless appearance hid a much darker truth. Two years earlier, Mao Zedong had launched the Cultural Revolution, a decade-long political and ideological movement intended to erase capitalist thought and cultural traditions from Chinese society. To enact this plan, Mao called on the Red Guards, a student-led paramilitary group. He enlisted them to help eradicate the “Four Olds”—a vaguely defined set of customs, habits, and ideas often associated with the elite upper class.
Mao’s dogma was militant, and the Red Guard interpreted his vision as achievable only through violence. The Red Guard acted above law and order, ransacking temples and tombs, including those of dynastic royalty and Confucius. Homes were raided and piles of books burned in the streets. But the Red Guard’s rampage went far beyond property damage. They began holding “struggle sessions”—public spectacles designed to shame so-called class enemies. Victims were accused of holding elitist, capitalist values, and were often forced to wear heavy signs detailing their crimes.
After two years of the Red Guards’ chaos, Mao recanted his support and sent 30,000 factory workers to fight the Red Guard at Qinghua University. With the help of the People’s Liberation Army, these factory workers succeeded, and Mao thanked them for their service with a crate of 40 mangoes. This gesture wasn’t quite as generous as it appeared since Mao was actually passing along a gift he received from Pakistan’s foreign minister. But much worse, this reward was quickly tainted by the ideology of the Cultural Revolution. As a propaganda tool, Mao’s mangoes demanded high levels of respect. Workers boarded unheated buses in sub-zero temperatures to visit mandatory mango exhibitions organized by the government.
For reasons mostly unknown, the mango fever broke a year and a half later. After the Red Guard was dissolved and participants were sent to the countryside for re-education, the mystifying mango faded from official propaganda. The wax from the replicas was repurposed for candles during power outages. And today you’d be lucky to find an antique mango tray or medallion while perusing a Beijing flea market. But the tale of Mao’s mangoes is just a minor story amidst a decade of painful, buried history. Discussion of the Cultural Revolution is restricted across China. And though some former Red Guards have attempted to challenge this policy by publicly reflecting and apologizing for their actions, they still avoid maligning Mao Zedong. Given the current political landscape of China, only time will tell when this history will be discussed openly and freely.
Imagine you are a factory worker in 1968 who has just received a wax mango from Chairman Mao. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings about the gift. Consider the political climate and the significance of the mango in your response.
Split into two groups and debate the following topic: “Was Mao’s use of the mango as a propaganda tool effective or manipulative?” Use evidence from the article to support your arguments. One group will argue that it was effective, while the other will argue that it was manipulative.
Create a timeline of key events during the Cultural Revolution, including the mango gift incident. Use different colors to distinguish between political events, social changes, and cultural impacts. Present your timeline to the class and explain the significance of each event.
Write a short story imagining an alternate history where the mango gift led to a different outcome in the Cultural Revolution. How might the workers’ perception of Mao and the Red Guard have changed? What would be the long-term effects on Chinese society?
Create an art piece that represents the symbolism of the mango during the Cultural Revolution. Use any medium you prefer (drawing, painting, digital art, etc.). Write a brief explanation of your artwork, describing how it reflects the themes and events discussed in the article.
Communist leader – An individual who holds a prominent position within a communist political party or movement – Lenin was one of the most influential communist leaders in history.
Chairman Mao Zedong – The founding father of the People’s Republic of China and the leader of the Chinese Communist Party from 1949 until his death in 1976 – Chairman Mao Zedong’s policies had a significant impact on China’s cultural and political landscape.
Preserve – To maintain or keep something in its original state or condition – The museum works hard to preserve its collection of ancient artifacts.
Formaldehyde – A colorless, strong-smelling gas used in the production of various chemicals and as a preservative – Formaldehyde is commonly used to preserve biological specimens.
Chinese medicine – A traditional system of medicine that originated in China, which includes various practices such as acupuncture and herbal remedies – Chinese medicine focuses on balancing the body’s energy for optimal health.
Frivolous – Lacking seriousness or importance; not worthy of serious attention – Spending the entire day playing video games is a frivolous use of time.
Cultural Revolution – A sociopolitical movement in China from 1966 to 1976, led by Mao Zedong, aimed at preserving communist ideology and eliminating traditional and capitalist elements – The Cultural Revolution had a profound impact on Chinese society.
Ideological movement – A collective effort to promote and implement a specific set of ideas or beliefs – The feminist movement is an example of an ideological movement.
Capitalist thought – The economic and social theories associated with capitalism, emphasizing private ownership and profit – Adam Smith is often considered the father of capitalist thought.
Dynastic royalty – The ruling family or families that hold power and authority over a kingdom or empire through hereditary succession – The dynastic royalty lived in opulent palaces.
Confucius – A Chinese philosopher and teacher, considered one of the most influential figures in Chinese history – Confucius’ teachings emphasized moral values and social harmony.
Propaganda tool – A means or method used to disseminate biased or misleading information to influence public opinion – The government used the media as a propaganda tool to shape public perception.
People’s Liberation Army – The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China, established and led by the Chinese Communist Party – The People’s Liberation Army plays a vital role in China’s defense and national security.
