Painting Stories in Color: Discovering Peranakan Culture in Singapore

GRIP: Business Development in Singapore

Cover: Participants painting traditional Peranakan-inspired ceramic tiles during a cultural workshop in Singapore.

It is common for Singapore to be associated with skyscrapers, finance, and innovation. But among all the glass towers and modern structures there are also some stories that go back generations. One of the most memorable experiences during my time in Singapore was attending a Peranakan tile-painting workshop, where I was introduced to a culture that has become an important part of the nation’s identity.

Prior to visiting Singapore, I had never heard of the Peranakans. What I quickly found out was that Peranakan culture emerged centuries ago due to fusion of Chinese, Malay, and other Southeastern traditions. The distinctive features of Peranakan culture can be traced in practically everything – from architecture and cuisine to clothes and decor. Walking through neighborhoods such as Katong and Joo Chiat, I was amazed by brightly colored shophouses covered in elaborately decorated ceramic tiles.

The workshop began with an introduction to the symbolism found in the Peranakan tiles. Most of the patterns in these tiles depict flowers, birds, and geometrical shapes, all with symbolic meanings associated with luck, peace, family, or good fortunes. What I initially thought was mere decoration turned out to be a form of storytelling embedded into people’s lives.

As soon as the history session ended, each of us was provided with a plain ceramic tile and asked to create our own version of a traditional Peranakan pattern. Initially, I treated this task just like any other art assignment. But as I traced patterns on my tile and tried to mix colors, I began to appreciate the dedication that the artists had when they created similar works much earlier than technological advancements became possible.

The room was filled with quiet concentration, interrupted only by occasional conversations about color theory and techniques for staying within the lines. The designs look simple from a distance but recreating them requires a surprising amount of patience and attention to detail. I quickly realized that painting neat lines on a ceramic tile is much more difficult than it appears. My finished tile was far from perfect, but that probably made the experience more memorable.

The experience also made me think about Singapore itself. Much of the city is constantly evolving, with new developments, new businesses, and new infrastructure projects appearing every year. Yet at the same time, there is a strong effort to preserve traditions and cultural identities that have existed for generations. The contrast between the modern skyline and historic neighborhoods is one of the things that makes Singapore unique.