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Asian Culture: Why We Are So Captivated

Even if you have never been to Asia, you will be keenly aware of just how many wonders have spread from the different cultures this continent encompasses. Even though more and more people are traveling, there remains an air of mystery around many of the Asian cultures, and that has helped the ideas, myths, and practices of the countries it contains spread internationally.

Let’s start with a few basic facts. Asia is a vast continent, estimated to contain around 17,226,200 square miles – close to a third of the Earth’s land. That’s mind-bogglingly vast. It also covers a great many countries; many can instantly name China and India, perhaps Japan, but remember that it also encompasses Indonesia, Taiwan, Sakhalin, Thailand, and more.

That vastness means that when we talk about Asian culture, we are painting with a very broad brush – and yet nonetheless, there is unquestionably a texture and flavor belonging to this landmass that is unique from all others. Why, then, are so many people so fascinated by Asia, and how has it become infused in Western cultures?

It Appears Throughout Our Entertainment

Perhaps one of the places where Asian culture is most prevalent, or at least most noticeable, lies in the world of entertainment. The Studio Ghibli movies are absolutely world-famous, representing the most beautiful art and stories Japan has to offer. They have won hearts and minds across the planet, standing out for their storytelling, their artistic prowess, and their stunning use of color.

And then if we turn our eyes to another massive area, the world of games, we see the fingerprint of the continent embedded here too. For instance, The White Castle has you striving to become the most influential clan in Japan’s Himeji stronghold, and it really captures something of Japan’s neatness and efficiency; every piece has been carefully considered, every move is hugely impactful, and even the box is beautifully compact. Three rounds keep it relatively short, but further that sense of minimalism.

And the same is true in the digital space. Turn your eyes to any good online casino, and you’ll find that Chinese themed slots games are an absolute staple. 8 Lucky Charms, Caishen’s Fortune, Da Hong Bao, Dragon Blast, and Dragon’s Scroll are just a starting point, but all display different elements of Chinese culture, including the Great Wall of China, Chinese lettering, a Chinese woman in traditional dress, and a Chinese dragon. Just a glance at such slots tells you immediately what kind of setting to expect

And that’s far from the full catalog. You’ll also see things like:

• Fa Fa Fa
• Fortune Dragon
• Year of the Ox
• Koi Garden
• Lion’s Fortune
• Lucky Dragon Boat
• Fortune Keepers
• Opera of the Masks
• Panda Fortune
• Panda Pursuit
• Fortune Turtle
• Golden Children
• Year of the Dog
• Cai Fu Dai Panda

And plenty of others. Just looking at the names gives you a hint as to what imagery and iconography you might expect, with dragons, pandas, lions, and turtles playing large roles, but concepts like luck also being central. It’s a mark of just how rich and varied Chinese culture is that these slots can be so varied, and yet so instantly obvious in their theming.

It’s also worth noting that the category list at the top contains various other niches, such as pirate slots and cartoon slots, but it’s interesting that both Chinese slots and Asian slots merit their separate places – a clear indication of both how prevalent and how rich these cultures are. And when you consider that the population of China is around 1,412,164,745, perhaps it’s not very surprising that these games are so popular. There’s some overlap between the games, but if you look at the 5 best Asian slots, you’ll also see some differences.

And continuing in the gaming theme, you’ve only got to look at something like Pokemon (also appearing in movies and TV) to recognize the sheer power of Asian cultures.

It Appears In Our Food

It can be difficult to define influence in our increasingly global world, where we are constantly exchanging ideas, building on them, and borrowing from them – yet there can be little doubt that Asian food has had a big impact on Western fashion, sometimes in subtle ways, and sometimes less so. 

If you’re a Briton, there’s a good chance, “shall we have a curry” is occasionally heard in your household. Even if you’re not, thanks to the internet, food is becoming increasingly globalized, and you can now try traditional recipes right from the comfort of your kitchen, if you’re adventurous enough. You may sometimes have to source more unusual ingredients, such as spices, but again, the internet has made this perfectly possible.

The result is a beautiful sharing phenomenon, where people the world over are learning about each other’s foods, trying them, exploring them, changing them, adapting them, and appreciating them. And given how important food is to our cultures and our identities, it’s not so surprising that our interest in Asian cultures has spread to this area too, although it’s also important to remember that every Asian culture is unique and has its individual approaches to food.