Young people go out of way to 'grab luck'

Spiritual gestures symbolize nation's hopes and dreams through generations

Thousands of years ago, along China's southern coastline, fishing communities would pray to Mazu, the folk goddess of the sea, for good luck when taking their boats to the waves.

Fast forward, and today, China's young people are also expressing their desire for luck and good fortune among the myriad pressures and stresses of contemporary life, but with a modern twist.

Last year, young people posted over 5.76 million scrolling comments with the word "jie", which means to accept or catch, on Bilibili, a Chinese video-sharing platform. Their wishes are to "catch" everything from top exam scores, job offers, promotions and good health, to salary raises and romantic relationships.