Have you ever blamed Mercury in retrograde for your life's chaos? Or found solace in explaining your quirks through Western astrology? Imagine a world where your fate is determined by such arbitrary factors. This is the premise of “Tiger Girls”, the gripping webcomic by Difference Engine, an independent comics publisher based in Singapore. Written by Felicia Low-Jimenez and illustrated by Claire Low, this webcomic delves into the world of stereotypes shaped by the Chinese zodiac and astrology.
Fact or fiction? How the Chinese zodiac stereotypes shaped Singapore webcomic series Tiger Girls
25 October 2024
By Larissa Santhana Nair
“Tiger Girls” explores the idea that seemingly harmless “fate-defining” stereotypes have significant consequences. Inspired by the old wives’ tale that girls born in the Year of the Tiger bring bad luck, are overbearing, and too dominant, the story flips these notions on their head. In traditional expectations, girls and women are meant to be serene, graceful, and demure. But should we let tradition and superstition dictate our lives or is it time to break free from these unfounded statements?
WHAT IS “TIGER GIRLS” ALL ABOUT
The story is set on a fictional island resembling Southeast Asia, where girls who are born in the Year of the Tiger live in constant fear and anxiety of potential attacks from the people on the mainland who have sentenced them to death for the belief that they are bringers of bad luck.
Suling, a young record-keeper who yearns to be fighting on the frontline alongside other Tiger Girls, is met with an unexpected visitor who could change how she sees the world and her life. Suling is joined by fellow sign sister Nadia, who is a Water Tiger warrior and protects the island from external threats.
Aunt Lian Neo safeguards all the girls on the island while Aunt Fatimah cares for the Tiger Girls’ wellbeing. Every now and then, Coconut – the island’s cat – brings comfort and solace to the dwellers on the island.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND “TIGER GIRLS”
Low-Jimenez shares that “Tiger Girls” transpired from a short story written for the anthology “Fish Eats Lion Redux” – a speculative fiction piece rooted in Southeast Asia. She was inspired by stories from the older generation about the bias against girls born in the Year of the Tiger and decided to craft a narrative that twists something seemingly innocuous into something powerful and ominous.
Low-Jimenez crafted her characters not as isolated individuals but as part of a dynamic system where their relationships drive the story. Each character, from the naive Suling to the seasoned older women, reflects different types of strength and survival tactics within an oppressive society.
BUILDING A WORLD THAT IS A MIRROR FOR US
With an origin and concept so uniquely Southeast Asian, it was important to both Low-Jimenez and Low to ensure that the world building was an accurate and overarching representation of our culture and region. The team even enlisted a sensitivity reader to verify cultural accuracy.
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It was also always clear to both Low-Jimenez and Low that the significance of the Chinese zodiac is and always will be deeply ingrained in Singapore and Southeast Asian societies. Unlike Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac's cultural influence permeates wider society.
The island in “Tiger Girls” mimics a typical Southeast Asian setting with “kelongs”, monsoon storms, and tropical flora and fauna. The huts are inspired by traditional attap houses that are still present in smaller villages across the region.
Nadia and Suling’s outfits also contrast each other in an effort to show them as antipodes, while being inspired by patterns and silhouettes in traditional Southeast Asian wear. In Nadia, for example, her garments and stitching is clean, crisp and very straight to show that she follows rules and protocols closely to a T.
This thoughtful yet familiar world building and designing helps shine a spotlight on the culture and everything that is beautiful about the region while bringing our attention to the subject matter of unfair biases.
CONDONING UNFAIR STEREOTYPES
Believing in stereotypes and superstition isn’t inherently harmful, but forcing others to adhere to those beliefs is the real issue. The folklore surrounding girls born in the Year of the Tiger highlights negative views on traits like strength and dominance in women, while the very same traits are celebrated in the men who are born in the same Chinese zodiac, who are seen as go-getters, confident and brave.
This gender bias persists even today, where societal norms have evolved beyond traditional confines. Take the term "Tiger Mums" – popularised by American author, lawyer and professor Amy Chua's "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" – and label given to the way strict Asian mothers parent. This stereotype reinforces the idea of overbearing, strict parenting, further entrenching gender biases.
Perpetuating such stereotypes can lead to imposter syndrome, especially for young girls born in the Year of the Tiger who don’t fit the typical mould. Haven’t we all felt out of place at some point? These attitudes can discourage girls from embracing their cultural heritage and appreciating its longevity.
REFRAMING PERCEPTIONS
Both Low-Jimenez and Low didn’t set out to completely overturn the stereotypes against girls born in the Year of the Tiger. They are, however, deliberate in telling their readers that conforming to societal norms isn't the only path. Society also needs outliers and trailblazers.
Imagine if early coffee enthusiasts had given up due to opposition; we wouldn't have the beloved coffeehouses that are now integral to our lives. Similarly, Suling's journey in "Tiger Girls" illustrates that power and strength can take many forms.
The story advocates for women's autonomy and the right to defy imposed ideals. Stereotypes of girls born in the Year of the Tiger illustrate how easy it is to pigeonhole people for convenience. This limits individuals and shapes societal expectations. Social media also amplifies these normalised biases, making it crucial for us to develop critical thinking and awareness.
"Tiger Girls" invites us to examine and reflect our own beliefs and prejudices. And hopefully encourages us to dig deeper and consider how harmful such stereotypes can be – even if it is as simple or harmless in our head.
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