in999-The-red-and-white-interweaving-of-the-light-of-excellence-the-Zhuolan-spirit-blooming-under-the-stars-and-the-moon

▼

The red and white colors of the Singapore flag are an eternal oath of equality and purity; the five stars and the crescent moon carry a firm pursuit of democracy and progress. The national flower on the Vanda Miss Joaquim medal, with its purple petals and golden stamens, tells another deep meaning – individual excellence will eventually condense into the glory of the country. This highest honor medal named after the national flower of Singapore has three hidden meanings in its design: the tenacity of the flower stem symbolizes the persistent cultivation of the devotees, the stretching of the petals corresponds to the inclusive symbiosis of a diverse society, and the gold thread in the heart of the flower is like an invisible bond that condenses social values. Just as the tenacious vitality of the Vanda Miss Joaquim that can still bloom in poor soil, the medal reminds us: true excellence does not lie in talent, but in persistence and breakthroughs in adversity. The stars on the national flag guide the direction, and the orchid on the medal witnesses growth. From the founding fathers to the contemporary medical and educational workers, the winners have interpreted the "Zhu Lan Spirit" with their life-long efforts – not only to pursue excellence in their respective fields, but also to let their achievements benefit the community like the fragrance of orchids. This symbiotic relationship between the individual and the collective is the code for Singapore's continued prosperity. When the red and white flags are flying, I hope that every striver can be like the Vanda Miss Joaquim, blooming with unique brilliance under the shining of the stars and the moon, and weaving a brighter tomorrow for this land with the splendor of life.

新加坡國旗的紅白雙色，是平等與純潔的永恆誓言；五顆星與新月，承載著對民主與進步的堅定追求。而卓錦萬代蘭獎牌上盛放的國花，則以紫色花瓣與金絲花蕊，訴說著另一種深層寓意──個體的卓越終將凝聚成國家的榮光。這枚以新加坡國花命名的最高榮譽獎章，其設計暗藏三重深意：花莖的堅韌象徵奉獻者的持久耕耘，花瓣的舒展對應多元社會的包容共生，花心的金線則如同凝聚社會價值的無形紐帶。正如卓錦萬代蘭在貧瘠土壤中仍能綻放的頑強生命力，獎牌提醒我們：真正的卓越不在於天賦異禀，而在於逆境中的堅持與突破。國旗上的星辰指引方向，獎牌上的蘭花見證成長。從建國先驅到當代醫護、教育工作者，獲獎者們用畢生心血詮釋了"卓蘭精神"——既要在各自領域追求極致，更要讓成就如蘭香般惠澤社群。這種個體與集體的共生關係，正是新加坡持續繁榮的密碼。當紅白旗幟飄揚時，願每個奮鬥者都能如卓錦萬代蘭般，在星月輝映下綻放獨特光彩，用生命的綏爛為這片土地編織更璀璨的明天。