In Chinese culture, there is a saying: "The foundation of the world lies in nations, and the foundation of nations lies in families." The concept of family is deeply ingrained in the bones of Chinese people. Interestingly, on the other side of the globe in Europe, there is a country that holds "family" in even higher regard—Italy.
How much do Italians value family? They often express it with the phrase: "Life comes first, family second, and work can only come third." Not only are they home-loving, but they are also famously respectful of their mothers. This is evident in the landmark architecture of Milan.
As the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the Milan Cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete, boasting 135 spires and over 3,400 statues with breathtaking details.
What stands out is that the highest point of this magnificent structure is not Jesus, but a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. In 1774, Milan even mandated that no building within the city could be taller than this statue of the Virgin Mary. This towering figure symbolizes the supreme status of mothers in the hearts of Italians.
In China, adult males who are overly dependent on their mothers are often derisively referred to as "Mama's Boys." Similarly, in Italy, there is a term with a similar connotation—"Mammone." To this day, many unmarried Italian men choose to live with their mothers even after reaching adulthood.
However, Italian society exhibits great tolerance towards "Mammone." They view this not as a lack of independence, but rather as a sign of respect for mothers and a deep love for family—qualities to be admired.
Despite the vast distance between the two countries, both China and Italy share a profound affection for familial bonds and a commitment to protecting family values, revealing a striking similarity in their cultural perspectives.
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