Mao Zedong died on September 9, 1976, but his legacy remains deeply rooted in Chinese political culture. Despite having committed crimes considered heinous and having left a trail of death and blood during his rule, the myths surrounding the Great Leader remain alive in the collective memory of the country.
Maoism continues to influence multiple dimensions of contemporary Chinese society. Its legacy manifests itself in the nationalism that still shapes part of the national identity, in the State's repressive apparatus, and also in common expressions used in everyday life by citizens.
The persistence of this legacy demonstrates how Mao's figure remains present in both the public and private life of China, even decades after his death, showing the complexity of the relationship between Chinese revolutionary history and the country's current political reality.
