Singles Day

Singles' Day (光棍节, guānggùn jié), also known as Double 11 (双11, shuāng shíyī), originated in the early 1990s at Nanjing University, where a group of single male students decided to celebrate their status.  November 11th, was chosen for its representation of singlehood (11/11). The numeral "1" symbolizes a bare stick, a term in Chinese slang for an unmarried man. Over the years, this day has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, initially celebrated by young men but now embraced by both genders.

Although not an official public holiday, Singles' Day has become a major shopping festival, comparable to Black Friday in the United States. It features extensive online and offline sales, with major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba's Tmall and JD.com offering significant discounts. The event has grown exponentially since Alibaba first promoted it in 2009, leading to record-breaking sales figures. For instance, in 2021, world-wide sales reached approximately $139 billion.

The day is marked by a 24-hour shopping frenzy, where consumers indulge in self-gifting and purchasing items across various sectors, including fashion, electronics, and food. The event has also sparked a trend of live-streaming sales and pre-sale promotions, further enhancing its appeal to younger consumers.

While Singles' Day celebrates singlehood, it has, ironically, become a day for couples to get married, with many choosing this date for their weddings. Blind date parties and social events are also common, reflecting the dual nature of the holiday as both a celebration of independence and a quest for companionship.

Prayer points

Praise God that whilst singleness is the focus on 11^th November, more and more young people are using the occasion to seek marriage.

Pray for the revival of marriage in China as a desirable and God appointed state.

Pray that there will be a restoration of an equal birth ratio male to female and that the stress of finding a lifetime partner will be reduced.