Little. Yellow. Different.

Little. Yellow. Different.

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Little. Yellow. Different.
Little. Yellow. Different.
Bearing false idols

Bearing false idols

Originally published on Medium in 2012 (back when everyone was publishing on Medium). By Ernie Hsiung.

Nov 14, 2024
∙ Paid
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Little. Yellow. Different.
Little. Yellow. Different.
Bearing false idols
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A detailed illustration of a ceramic money frog statue on a coffee table in a modest family living room. The frog is painted in bright gold with intricate red and green designs around its eyes, showing subtle wear and chipped paint. It holds a Chinese coin in its mouth, the kind with a square hole and traditional Chinese characters. Scattered coins lie beneath the frog, adding a touch of mystery and charm. The background includes warm lighting, simple furniture, and soft shadows, evoking a nostalgic, slightly tense atmosphere. The image should feel personal and intimate, blending realism with a touch of magical realism to suggest hidden stories and family memories. Artistic style is realistic with slight surreal undertones, inviting the viewer into a quiet moment of reflection.
Dear people who can read Chinese: I know the characters aren’t real. It’s AI, alright? Most AI can’t even get English correct. (Credit: Leonardo AI)

In high school, my Mom purchased a statue of a frog the size of a toaster.

Hollow and ceramic, it was painted in gold with fake ornate details in red and green, especially around its eyes. Bits of paint were beginning to chip off a little bit. There is a coin in the frog's mouth, the type of coin you see in Chinatown with the square holes and the Chinese characters. But you wouldn't know that at first glance and would assume it was something on par with something my mother would buy, tacky and expensive looking. If you sat me down and asked me to tell you everything I know about feng shui, even now, this is what I could explain to you: it has something to do with the flow of qi.  

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