Letter from Baba Colin Chee, President, The Peranakan Association Singapore

(This is a monthly column to TPAS members and guests)


Our TPAS Logo

At our third General Committee meeting on 28 August 2018, the GC agreed to a slight refinement of our iconic and beautiful TPAS logo:

What we did was to remove the words “The Peranakan Association” from the frame that protects our emblem, the phoenix. At the same time, we aesthetically strengthened the lines of the frame.

We decided on the change for two reasons.

Firstly, the words within the frame were redundant, given that they are already spelt out in the logo.

Secondly, whenever the logo was printed small, the words within the frame would smudge.

We hope you like this cleaner look, as we do.

This original phoenix logo was first introduced on 7 January 2003. It was then described as follows:

The Peranakan Association logo comprises a soaring phoenix with its tail swooping in a circular manner depicted within a lobed rectangular cartouche (or medallion) with rounded corners.

The phoenix is a decorative and auspicious motif favoured by the Peranakans. In Chinese mythology, the phoenix symbolises the south cardinal point. It is also associated with imperial power and is the insignia of the Empress. In Western tradition, the phoenix symbolises rebirth and regeneration, being the mythical creature that is reborn from the ashes of a great conflagration.

The swooping circular tail of the phoenix also expresses the longevity and permanence of the Peranakan community. The design of the phoenix and of the lobed medallion is derived from typical motifs found on Peranakan furniture, textiles and ceramics. The complexity of the design also expresses a sense of heritage, culture and tradition which are the chief concerns of The Peranakan Association.

We thank GC member, Nyonya Josephine Tan, for refining the logo.

But we all stand on the shoulders of the logo’s original designer, Baba John Lee, who also shared with us his perspectives during this exercise.

Is TPAS only for Peranakans?

For several weeks now we have been reaching out to family, friends, well-wishers and strangers to become members of TPAS. With open arms.

The most common refrain to the invitations we made was, “But I am not a Peranakan. Can I really join?”

Of course you can. There is nothing in our Constitution that says you must be a Peranakan in order to become a member.

As long as you have an interest in things Peranakan and wish to be a life member, the GC will generally accept your application to be one.

TPAS is one of the most inclusive associations I know of.

We also have members who are ethnically Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Caucasians and Japanese

I think of TPAS as a melting pot of many races and nationalities…just like Singapore!

Please look out for Chakap Chakap in the upcoming edition of The Peranakan magazine (which will be out in September) where I will share more of my thoughts.


God bless,
Colin Chee
Unity. Stability. Growth
It is not going to be business as usual
31 August 2018