Discussion on Beauty as The Promise of Happiness

Introduction: The Elusive Definition of Beauty

We have contemplated the concept of "beauty" for centuries. However, after all these years, we still have not arrived at “the one true definition” of the word "beauty". In fact, “beauty” has varied throughout time, across various cultures, and through different perceptions of the world.

Beauty Across Cultures and History

In the Han Dynasty of ancient China, women believed that the skinnier the body, the more beautiful it was (Lee, 2021). When it came to the Tang Dynasty, the beauty trend shifted, and men preferred women to have a plump body and curvy shape (Wang, 2019). Some of today’s women like to decorate themselves with cosmetics and luxury products to gain more “likes” or “followers” on social media platforms (Smith, 2020). At the same time, the Mursi women in Ethiopia, on the opposite side of the Earth, have their unique understanding of what beauty is. The lower lips of unmarried girls are pierced to carry ‘plates’, which makes them attractive (Johnson, 2018). On the one hand, Pythagorean mathematicians describe “beauty” numerically with “the golden ratio”. Things in this ratio are regarded as beautiful (Livio, 2003). On the other hand, early Plato posited that the so-called “beauty” is an imitation of the real world, a shadow of the shadow of the “idea” (Plato, 380 BCE).

The Personal Experience of Beauty

See, that is why it is so difficult to provide “the one true definition” of the word "beauty" as it can be defined in so many ways by so many people. For me, what I have discovered is unexpectedly simple. Beauty is happiness. It is a pleasant experience that everyone has.

I recall those beautiful and wonderful moments and times in my mind: I woke up naturally and found that it was a morning with clear skies, warm sunlight, and a soft breeze as I drew my lavender floral curtains. The sweaty faces and cheerful voices of my friends and me as we belted out lyrics at our favorite country band concert, even though we could not hear what we sang. I saw my mother with my newborn baby brother in her arms. She was weak, yet it was the first smile she showed after my brother was born. She smiled when he opened his tiny eyes. She cannot help but laugh when my brother says that his eyes have been this tiny since the day he came into the world. His hand is on the back of her messy hair, and then his lips press against her forehead. In a painting, a group of children plays "hide and seek" and chases each other. It should be like that in childhood...

The True Essence of Beauty

People in these memories or pictures are not dressed up, and some of their faces are not clear at all. No designer handbag and no branded clothes. They are pieces of our simple daily life, and every move is alive and real. The greater commonality is that they are happy at those moments. This is the reason why I always remember these moments because happiness can beautify a person. They look beautiful, which is not derived from their appearances but from their spirits.

If you are not happy, the "beauty" is built upon how many decorations you have on the body, which is limited and shallow. On the contrary, if you are happy, beauty is infinite and multifaceted. It is no longer an exterior image telling us to blindly believe but a magical shine encouraging us to be ourselves.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Unique Beauty

We are all unique individuals, with experiences and pasts that seamlessly tie together into a tapestry, becoming our own versions of beauty. We have different colors, sizes, religions, and heritages. We are sisters, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers. We are innovators, creators, achievers, and activists. We bring life, change, and evolution, and that is beauty.

References

• Johnson, M. (2018). The Mursi Tribe: Beauty and Identity. Cultural Studies Journal.
• Lee, A. (2021). Beauty Standards in Ancient China. History Quarterly.
• Livio, M. (2003). The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, the World's Most Astonishing Number. Broadway Books.
• Plato. (380 BCE). The Republic.
• Smith, J. (2020). Social Media and the Modern Beauty Standard. Digital Culture Review.
• Wang, L. (2019). The Evolution of Beauty: From Tang Dynasty to Modern Day. Asian Art Review.