11 Facts About President Sun Yat-sen

Explore 11 amazing facts about the founder of modern China, revolutionary hero, and visionary leader, President Sun Yat-sen.

FACTS ABOUT

Mwenda Kelvin (Chief Editor)

6/6/20254 min read

President Sun Yat-sen.
President Sun Yat-sen.

President Sun Yat-sen (credit: Gettyimages)

I was sparked and a little curious when I first learned about Sun Yat-sen's crazy, world-traveling lifestyle. After all, how many individuals are abducted in London, endure exile for more than 16 years, and proceed to make history? Allow us to explore 11 facts that uncover unexpected elements of this remarkable man, which may inspire you to pursue your goals right now.

  1. He Was Once Detained in London by The Qing Government: In 1896, Chinese spies abducted Sun Yat-sen from the Chinese Legation in London. Opinion among the people pushed for him to be released, and the British media exploded with fury. This is the best evidence yet that media publicity is important. Do you want to get people to back your root cause? Tell your narrative loud and immediately.

  2. He Was a Licensed Medical Doctor: Sun Yat-sen was among the first Chinese doctors to get training in Western medicine after graduating from the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese in 1892. Envision him bandaging injuries during the day and hatching revolutions at night-time. The lesson is that whenever you combine skill and objective, creativity grows. Master something new and then use it for what you love to do.

  3. He Converted to Christianity in His Youth: His values were influenced by Christian ethics once he was baptized as a youth. He frequently discussed equality, justice, and service. Perhaps you can discover the values that guide you without being baptized, however, are you firmly rooted in your own ethics? Anything becomes more deliberate as a result.

  4. He Had a Bounty Placed on His Head by The Qing Dynasty: Qing officials quickly became aware of Sun Yat-sen's actions. For him to be captured, a sizeable reward was offered. What is going on? You are on the right track if individuals disagree with your beliefs. But be wise. For individuals with audacious concepts, present-day security suggestions include using pseudonyms and encrypting communication.

  5. He Used Over a Dozen Aliases During His Revolutionary Years: He explored using the aliases "Sun Wen," "Zhongshan," and others in order to avoid detection. Zhongshan stuck, and it even became the name of a city in China. The lesson? Not only is transformation popular, but it may be essential when you are changing groups. By growing, you may be able to pass through barriers without anyone noticing.

  6. He Was an Avid Reader of American Political Philosophy: He embraced the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln, and the United States Constitution. Though he adjusted the concepts for China, he appreciated American democracy. Therefore, when creating a vision, step outside of what is normal. A lot of brilliant concepts come from people who are not in the same field as you.

  7. His Face Appeared on The Currency of Both Taiwan & Mainland China: The two governments paid tribute to him by using his image on currency, even though they eventually split. Although they have different political views, he is physically in everyone's pocketbook. Whenever your influence is significant sufficiently, it overcomes discrimination and chaos.

  8. He Was Not Fluent in Mandarin: English and Cantonese were Sun Yat-sen's primary languages. Despite his inadequate Mandarin, he was able to converse politically. A lesson? Language obstacles must not prevent you. Find out what you require, however do not hesitate to get involved until you have mastered every aspect.

  9. He Lived in Exile For Over 16 Years: He sought for funding and backing from Asia to North America, to Europe, and even in Hawaii. That is dedication. When developing anything huge, what happens if it becomes difficult? Continue. Frequently, perseverance triumphs over flawlessness.

  10. He Gained Significant Revolutionary Funding From Overseas Chinese: Chinese immigrants made significant contributions in Southeast Asia, the United States, and Hawaii. They supported his mission. Do you want help? Create a community prior to seeking assistance. Your counterattack will be more powerful if you provide first.

  11. His Mausoleum in Nanjing Has 392 Steps: The 392 words in his Three Principles of the People, nationalism, democracy, and livelihood, are represented by those staircases. Someone initially believed that they would not make it through the fifteen flights up a mountain route, however they acknowledged it was insane at step 16. When your daily routine gets boring, symbolic objectives might help keep you motivated.

Bonus: Lessons Sun Yat-sen Can Teach You

  • To Get Clarity, Combine Your Passions: Exile offered him purpose; philosophy offered him objectives; and medicine offered him morals.

  • Rely on Multinational Societies: He raised money internationally rather than locally.

  • Power Lies in Transformation: He changed his names, languages, and residences to govern and endure.

  • Visual Indicators Are Effective: 392 steps in a mausoleum? That is dedication made tangible.

Summary: Footsteps of a Revolutionary

In addition to becoming a revolution, Sun Yat-sen's life served as a master class in inventiveness, determination, and mission. Despite facing bounty hunters, learning other languages, bandaging wounds, and climbing metaphorical staircases, he never lost sight of his objective. Consider this if you are experiencing a hard week, trapped on a project, or changing careers: discover your metaphorical staircase, choose an affirmation (mine is "392 steps"), and view each little triumph as a turning point in something bigger. Become enthusiastic with regard to your upcoming journey. Europe? A project driven by dedication? A danger that you have been steering clear of? Follow Sun Yat-sen's example: combine talents, create a sense of belonging, and persevere through discomfort. As a result, you can conquer anything that comes in your pathway if a Canton medical graduate can bring down an entire nation.