I am period

positive
menstruation and you creative visual arts exhibition
月事與你視覺藝術展覽

Exhibition booklet
展覽小冊子
MenstruAction由兩名⾹港⼤學社會學學⽣於2016年11⽉創⽴。
過去3年時間，MenstruAction⼀直不遺餘⼒在社交平台及⼤學
校園進⾏⽉事倡議⼯作，以打破⽉經禁忌、⿎勵⼤眾討論⽉事
及相關議題，及推廣不同種類⽉事產品為⽬標。MenstruAction
曾舉辦紀錄⽚放映及映後談、論壇、布衛⽣⼱⼿作⼯作坊等。

MenstruAction was established by two HKU Sociology students in

Nov 2016, with the aim to dismantle taboo and stigma around
menstruation, spark discussion of menstruation and related issues,
and promote the use of alternative menstrual products. Over the
past 3 years, MenstruAction has dedicated to produce
menstruation-related original content on social media platforms
and organise educational events on university campuses. Past
events include documentary screening and post-screening
discussion; panel discussion and handmade cloth pad workshop
etc.

About 關於 MenstruAction
About 關於
480.0 性別x藝術空間
Gender & Art Space
「480.0」為「性暴⼒點嚟」的諧⾳。480.0性別X藝術空間成⽴於
2017年3⽉，期望能把性別平等角度注入藝術和⽣活，融合不同界
別、不同團體的想法，拆解⽣活中的性別事，了解性暴⼒的根源
，從⽽提升⼤眾對性別及性暴⼒議題的興趣和認知。

“480.0” is a homonym of “where does sexual violence come from” in

Chinese. We believe that gender-based violence is no single event, and
it is inseparable from culture, education and social norm. 480.0 Gender
& Art Space established on March 2017, hopes to put the perspective
of gender equity into arts and daily lives, exploring and debunking the
myths and stereotype through culture and the arts to enhance
awareness and interest in gender and sexual violence among the
community.
前⾔ Foreword

本次視覺藝術比賽及展覽主題為「I am period-positive - ⽉事與你」。⽉經多被視為

單純的⽣理現象，但其背後事實上隱藏許多禁忌 (taboo) 及污名 (stigma)。身處現代
社會，⽉經禁忌未必如印度鄉村或尼泊爾山區般明顯，唯⽉經依然是不能說、不能
提、不能碰之物。例如我們⽇常⽣活中鮮少有勇氣談及⽉經︔例如我們去洗⼿間時
，⼀定要把衛⽣⼱藏於身後︔又例如我們身受經痛之苦，卻不能開⼜請⼀天⽉經假
......⽉經禁忌與污名化不但可能為女性身分帶來負⾯標籤，影響來經者的身⼼健康
︔⽉經「不能說」的⽂化亦令⽉經健康教育停濟不前。

⽉事其實與每個⼈都息息相關—— ⽉經是每個⼈的⽣命泉源，亦是世界上⼀半⼈⼜
每個⽉實實在在經歷的事情。透過舉辦這次比賽及展覽，我們希望⼤眾以有創意的
視覺藝術形式表達對⽉經的看法，藉此推進有關⽉經、性別的討論，並推廣禁忌和
污名化等社會學概念。不論性別、年齡、身分角⾊，不論有沒有來經，⽣活中你都
肯定有⼀些與⽉經相關的經驗。你也可以be period-positive，以正⾯積極的態度打破
⽉經禁忌。

我們⼗分⾼興這次收到各種各樣的作品，以截然不同的視角及⽅式表達「⽉事與你
」的關係。⽉事可以是麻煩的、令⼈痛苦的，但從許多作品中我們看到，⽉事作為
⽣命之源，也有其美麗的⼀⾯。希望來到這個展覽的你，可以透過作品認識到⽉經
的不同⾯向，從⽽對⽉經、性、⽣育少⼀分恐懼，多⼀分了解和包容。

推廣正向⽉事絕非易事。正如⾹港市民李嘉誠說過，年輕⼈要有創新和變⾰的勇氣
，擁抱未來。我們希望⼤家都能懷抱⾰新的勇氣，打破禁忌，創造更美好的未來。
最後，非常感謝各位合作夥伴：480.0性別x藝術空間、Sally Coco Intimate Lifestyle
Store、⾹港中⽂⼤學社會⼯作學系、⾹港⼤學⽂學院性別平等及多元委員會、
Happeriod提供展覽場地及各種⽀援。我們期待在正向⽉事的路上繼續與你們同⾏
。
The theme of this visual arts competition and exhibition is “I am period-positive” -
Menstruation and You. Often seen as merely a biological phenomenon, menstruation is
actually deeply intertwined with the larger sociocultural environment, and is a hugely
tabooed subject. Although menstrual taboo and stigma in Hong Kong are not as visible
and explicit as they are in rural Nepal where women are exiled to separate huts during
menstruation, the lack of discussion and the internalised shame associated with
menstruation are still conspicuous in our society, and there are plenty of examples. Often
is menstruation hidden from our daily conversations, and even when it is brought up, it is
done in discreet, without the presence of male. Often when we go to washroom, we hide
our menstrual pads in the pockets. Often when we have serious menstrual cramps, we do
not dare to speak up and ask for a leave... The taboo and stigma around menstruation can
blemish femininity and negatively influence menstruators’ physical and mental health,
sexuality and social status, and is also the reason why menstrual health education in Hong
Kong has been inadequate and conservative.

Our theme does not only point to female or menstruators. Menstruation, as the origin of
life and something half of the human population experience once every month, is
everyone’s business. We hope to, through this competition and exhibition, encourage the
public to express their views on menstruation in creative ways and a visual manner, hence
to spark discussions of the issues of menstruation, gender, taboo and stigma. All of us,
male and female, menstruating or not, can be period-positive and join hands to break the
menstrual taboo.

We are very happy to have received artworks of different themes, formats and styles.
Menstruation can be troublesome and painful, but from some of the artworks we have
seen how menstruation can also be beautiful and empowering. We hope that through this
exhibition, you can get to know the different faces of menstruation, hence know more
about menstruation, sexuality and reproduction.

We would like to wish everyone courage to break taboos, embrace changes and create a
better future. Last but not least, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our
collaborators: 480.0 Gender & Art Space; Sally Coco Intimate Lifestyle Store; Department
of Social Work, the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Committee on Gender Equality and
Diversity, Faculty of Arts, the University of Hong Kong and Happeriod. It has been great
to have you all on the path of advocating period-positivity.

MenstruAction
前⾔ Foreword
480.0性別x藝術空間很榮幸可以與MenstruAction合辦是次⽉事與你視覺藝術比賽暨
展覽。性暴⼒是源⾃於性別和權⼒不平等的觀念︔因此，除了⽀援受害⼈，機構亦
重視性別平等教育的推動，以減少性暴⼒事件為⽬標，同時打破傳統的性別定型框
架。這種改變必須由⽇常⽣活中的相處模式開始，是次活動讓我們有⼀個很好的契
機，了解和聆聽彼此的⽣活經驗，互相尊重。

傳統⽂化視『性』和『性器官』等有關的討論為禁忌，『⽉事』更被視為不潔的身
體狀況，⼤家都會避⽽不提︔即使提及，亦只會以不同的代名詞代替，如『⼤姨媽
』和『M到』等。每當⽉事來到，⼤多數的女性都會覺得是⼀個負⾯的時期，身體
不適、情緒低落、容易暴躁，但又不敢與旁⼈分享。

然⽽，⽉經是女性開始了解⾃⼰身體和性的重要⼀步，不潔的陰霾和『性』的禁忌
只會阻礙她們對⾃⼰和⽣命的探索。因此，我們希望藉著是次活動，以藝術及⽣活
化的⽅式打破沉默，不論性別亦⼀同⽀持正向⽉事的討論，主動分享⾃身對⽉事的
感受或經歷，建⽴積極正⾯的平台，讓我們能⾃在地探索有關⽉事、有關身體、有
關性、有關性別平權的議題。
480.0 Gender & Art Space is honoured to co-organise the “I am period-positive” -
Menstruation and You Creative Visual Arts Exhibition with MenstruAction. Sexual
violence stems from gender and power inequality. Therefore, apart from supporting
victims of sexual violence, we also highly value the advocation of gender equity education
with the aim of reducing the number of sexual violence cases, as well as breaking
traditional gender stereotypes. This change must begin with our daily lives, with how we
get along with people of different sexes and genders. This exhibition is a great opportunity
for us to understand and listen to others’ life experiences, and to respect one another.

Traditionally, “sex”, “sex organs” and related topics are heavily tabooed. Menstruation is
even seen as impure and unmentionable. Even when people talk about it, they euphemise
it with different names, for example “big auntie” (⼤姨媽) and “m come” (M到). Most
women perceive menstruation negatively, seeing it as the source of discomfort, negative
emotions and mood swings, but they are never willing to share this experience with other
people.

Menstruation is, in fact, an important gateway for female to understand their bodies and
sexuality. The “impurity” associated with mestruation and the taboo around sex would
only hinder their exploration of self and of life. Therefore, through this exhibition, we
hope to break the silence with a visual art and down-to-earth perspective. Regardless of
gender, everyone can support the discussion of menstrual positivity and take the initiative
to share menstruation-related feelings or experiences. By this, we can together establish a
positive platform, on which we can freely explore issues related to menstruation, bodies,
sexuality, and gender equity.

480.0 性別x藝術空間
480.0 Gender & Art Space
「禁忌
某⾏為因被視為
1. 過於神聖或
2. 過於危險和受詛咒⽽被禁⽌
——⼤英百科全書
」
⽉經：既是「正向」禁忌，亦是「負⾯」禁忌

⽉經被視為既強⼤又危險。例如中國傳統中，經⾎被視為極度污穢，
連神佛亦忌諱。但正正因為污穢，經⾎被指有驅鬼的作⽤。道⼠驅鬼
時使⽤的⿊狗⾎，有指就是經⾎的借代品。⼈類學家亦估計，在⼈類
了解到⽉經週期運作之先，不明⽩女性何以每個⽉流⾎5天卻毫髮無損
。這種不理解就是⽉經被視為既神奇又可怕的原因。

禁忌的形成與傳承絕非「⾃然⽽然」，⽽是與社會、政治及宗教體系
有莫⼤關係。以⽉經為例，⼩孩初次認識到⽉經為禁忌，⼤概就是母
親說起⽉經刻意降低聲量︔或者是學校特意分開男女學⽣，以防男⽣
也接觸到「無⽤」的⽉經知識的時候。至於宗教信仰更是與⽉經禁忌
密不可分。世界各⼤宗教對⽉經均有不同解讀（當然隨時間流逝及科
學進步，某些宗教的⽉經禁忌隨之轉變或淡化），唯⼀⼀致的就是或
多或少都視⽉經為不潔/ 不可觸碰。在道教及中國民教佛教分別有⾎
湖和⾎盆地獄之說，描述女性來經以及⽣育流出的⾎會玷污神明，所
以女性（尤其是死於難產的女性）死後會進入⾎湖/盆地獄受苦。伊斯
蘭教教義中也指明女性來經時不得禮拜、進入清真寺、甚至觸碰和閱
讀可蘭經。聖經利未記中也提到：「女⼈⾏經、必污穢七天．凡摸他
的、必不潔淨到晚上。」
 “ Taboo
The prohibition of an action based on
the belief that such behaviour is either
1. too sacred and consecrated or
2. too dangerous and accursed for
ordinary individuals to
undertake.
(Encyclopedia Britannica)

Menstruation: too sacred and too dangerous

Menstruation is seen as both powerful and dangerous at the same time. For
example in Chinese culture, menstrual blood is perceived as extremely unclean
that even gods would be offended by contact with menstrual blood. However,
because of its filthiness, menstrual blood is said to be effective in exorcism.
”
When conducting rituals for exorcising spirits, the blood of a black dog, which
euphemises menstrual blood would be used by Daoist priests. On the other
hand, anthropologists have speculated that the origin of this two-sided
symbolism of menstruation was lack of knowledge - it was probably magical yet
horrifying that women could bleed once a month, five days each time without
being killed or severely weakened, when the mechanism of the menstrual cycle
was unknown.

The construction and transmission of taboo is closely intertwined with social,

political and religious institutions. A child would never know that menstruation
is a taboo by him/herself. It is always socialised by parents and/or the school,
for example when your mother deliberately lowered her voice when she talked
about menstruation, or when your teacher separated male and female students
during menstrual heath education session. Religious institutions are also
especially influential in constructing and transmitting the taboo around
menstruation. All major worldly religions are to different extents hostile to
menstruation by perceiving it as impure and unclean. In Daoism and Chinese
Buddhism, there is the concept of Blood Lake Hell or Blood Bowl Hell
respectively, hells that are filled up by postpartum blood or menstrual blood. As
menstrual blood or postpartum blood disposed on the ground would offend the
soil god; and women washing bloodstained clothes would pollute the water in
lakes or rivers, women (especially those who died from obstructed labour) would
enter the Lake of Blood Hell or the Blood Bowl Hell and suffer from cruel
punishments after death. The Islamic dogma forbids menstruating women from
performing namaz, entering mosques, reading the Quran, and even touching
copies of the Quran. In the Book of Leviticus of the Old Testament,
menstruation was also depicted as “impure” - “when a woman has her regular
flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and
anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening.”
 社會學家⾼夫曼於其著作《污名》(1963)中提出了污名的定義：
讓⼈或族群遭到極度貶抑的特質

也就是說，某些⼈或族群擁有的特質讓他們帶有負⾯標籤，並可
能遭到歧視。
他又將污名分為三種：
• 身體的憎惡（如疤痕、⽣理畸形）
• 個性的污點（如犯罪⾏為、各種成癮⾏為）
• 族群身分的污名（如性別、種族、性向、國籍）

⼼理學學者Ingrid Johnston-Robledo及Joan C. Chrisler認為⽉經符

合全部三種污名的定義，因為
• 經⾎（及來經的⼈）被視為污穢、不潔，⽽且比其他
體液更甚 → 身體的憎惡
• 經⾎外漏、沾到衣服被視為個性的污點，例如經⾎外漏給
⼈不會⾃理、骯髒的印象 → 個性的污點
• 來經與女性身分認同息息相關，許多⼈都認為來經、擁有
⽣育能⼒是真正「成為女⼈」的象徵。這些「真正的女
⼈」受不同社會框架限制，例如⾏為要「女仔D」，要
⼩⼼與異性相處等。如果⼤眾普遍認為來經讓女性身體
及精神上較虛弱，⽉經污名化也可能深化女性柔弱、情
緒化、不受控著等刻板印象 → 族群身分的污名

Stigma
“An attribute that is
 In his book Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity
(1963), Sociologist Erving Goffman defined stigma as “an attribute
that is deeply discrediting”. That is to say, an individual or a group
with a certain attribute is discredited and likely to be subsequently
discriminated by a society. Goffman classifies stigma into three
types:
• “Abominations of the body” (e.g., burns, scars, deformities)
• “Blemishes of individual character” (e.g., criminality,
addictions)
• “Tribal” identities associated with marginalized groups (e.g.,
gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality)

Psychologists Ingrid Johnston-Robledo and Joan C. Chrisler argue

that menstruation fits all three categories of stigma because:
• Menstrual blood (and menstruating persons) is seen as unclean
and even more so than other bodily fluids
• Menstrual bloodstain can be seen as a blemish on one’s
character and women’s femininity, because it gives an
impression that one is unable to keep the menses discreet
and out of sight
• Menstruation is a “tribal” identity of “femaleness” - once
individuals reach menarche, they are treated differently,
told that they have grown up, urged to act lady-like, and
cautioned about sexuality. If society holds that
menstruation causes women to be physically and mentally
weaker, the stigmatisation of menstruation might mark
women as weak, emotional and out-of-control etc.

s deeply discrediting”
朱顥廷
⾹港⼤學⽂學院性別平等及多元委員會
學⽣事務及外展⼩組委員會主席
第⼀次認識Joyce@MenstruAction嘅時候係佢哋起港⼤搞咗場Mensural Man
播映會，好記得係我嗰⽇放學6:30pm⾏返去邵逸夫教學樓嗰陣時⾒到佢哋
嗰啲sign報名都冇就⾃⼰中入去。

嗰陣時嘅我認真嗰句真係對⽉經認知唔多，始終嗰陣時覺得⽉經對我來講
好遙遠，亦都好唔關事。你諗下，⼀個異性戀嘅男仔佢嘅伴侶每個⽉都來
⼀次M︔要買啲乜嘢、要點樣照顧佢、同埋點樣去安撫佢嘅不適，(如果段
關係長久或者拍過好幾次拖的話)點都做慣做熟啦。但係作為⼀個超級彩虹
基佬講真果句我估我呢⼀世點都唔會掂到M⼱或者⽉經，因為⽣育同埋女
性嘅身體根本就唔係我嘅⽣命入邊......或者我至少嗰陣時有咁樣諗。

我第⼀次⾒到我⾃⼰呢⼀⽅⾯嘅知識不⾜係佢哋同我幫HKU CGED搞嘅另
外⼀場⽉經電影放映會嗰度展現晒出嚟。記得睇戲嗰陣時都還好，但係我
要去主持嗰⼀場分享會嘅時候就真係瀨晒嘢。嗰陣時仲好榮幸請到其中⼀
套電影嘅導演FaceTime同我地⼀齊交流，但係咁樣先至尷尬。事緣就係因
為我發現我對於⽉經嘅認知非常少，有啲位根本就算我預備左都講唔到落
去。
嗰陣時嘅我其實都做咗性教育⼀段時間，其實講性或者係性關係其實⼀啲
都難唔到我。但係⼀去到⽉經呢我就完全斷晒⽚，搞到嗰⽇反⽽似我係被
教育嗰個，⽽唔係去教育在場嘅參加者咁嘅樣。

活動完咗之後我同Sonia@女影⾹港⼀齊⾛，佢同我講呢⼀個係我嘅”Gap of
Knowledge” 塞咗本《⽉經不平等》要我盡快填補呢⼀個空缺。兩個⽉後
Joyce俾多次機會我，比個⼯作坊比我去帶去令參加者諗多啲關於⽉經與政
治嘅關係。今次呢就唔同喇，叫做可以帶動參加者反思⽉經同埋社會政治
，以及諗D⽅法將⾹港變成⼀個更加mensural-friendly嘅城市等等。所以我
真係好多謝MenstruAction將慢慢陷入「基佬厭女主義」嘅我從深淵拉返上
嚟，變返⼀個真正HeForShe嘅Boi!
Justin Chu
Chair of Student Affairs and Outreach, Committee on Gender
Equality and Diversity,
Faculty of Arts, the University of Hong Kong
I met Joyce@MenstruAction for the first time at MenstruAction’s movie
screening of Menstrual Man at HKU. I still remember I finished all my classes at
6:30pm that day, and I saw their road sign while I was walking back to the Run
Run Shaw Tower. I went into the room without even signing up for the event.

I didn’t know a lot about menstruation at that time. After all it was something
very distant from me, and not really “my business”. Think about this, for a
heterosexual boy, his partner would menstruate once every month. He should be
kinda familiar with (if the relationship has lasted for some time or if he has had
a few relationships) what to buy, how to take care of her, or how to comfort her
when she is feeling unwell. But as a “Diva Gay”, to be frank, I probably wouldn’t
have the chance to really touch even one sanitary pad throughout my whole life.
Reproduction and female bodies don’t even exist in my life after all… Or at least
this was what I thought at that time.

The first time I realised my lack of knowledge in this aspect was at a film
screening organised by me with HKU CGED and supported by MenstruAction.
It was fine when the film was played, but when I had to moderate the post-
screening discussion, it was all messed up. We had the pleasure of inviting the
director of one of the films to interact with us on FaceTime, and this was what
made it even worse. During the discussion, I realised I knew so little about
menstruation, and I couldn’t continue the discussion even if I did prepare for it.
At that time, I actually had engaged in sex education for some time already,
talking about sex or sexual relationships are just a piece of cake. But when it
came to menstruation, I totally blacked out. It seemed like I was the one being
educated, instead of the audience that day.

After the event, I left together with Sonia@Reel Women Hong Kong. She told me
this was my ”Gap of Knowledge”, gave me this book called “Ceci est mon sang”,
and asked me to fill this gap as fast as I could. Two months later, Joyce gave me
another opportunity to moderate a discussion on the relationship between
menstruation and politics. It was totally different this time. I could kinda
motivate participants to reflect on menstruation, society and politics, and think
of ways to make Hong Kong more menstrual-friendly etc. So I am really thankful
to MenstruAction for pulling me out of the chasm of “gay misogyny”, and become
a real HeForShe boy!
《新的「正常」/A NEW NORMAL》
夏瑋娜 Riva Hiranand
⼦宮內膜異位症患者 Diagnosed with endometriosis
出⽣以來，我⼀直以為我的經痛是正常的。每個⽉我都有三天不能下床，不能⼯作
、唸書和做運動。從我11歲開始，當其他女⽣只是⽤護墊或者棉條，我已經需要⽤
極⼤塊的產婦衛⽣⼱。經痛會嚴重得讓我忍不住哭，唯有在⽌痛藥發揮作⽤，讓我
昏昏欲睡時，我才能夠停⽌哭泣。我會在經期時避免任何消耗體⼒的活動。這對我
來說正常不過。

在我的⽂化中，提及⽉經是不正常的。⽉經被視作女⼈的「詛咒」，是不該公開討
論的私事。⽉經來時，我不能進入印度廟，因為我是不潔的，我不能接近神明。獨
⾃或者在晚上外出也是不應該的——因為來經的女性容易受邪靈侵害，或者更壞的
是，不能控制那伴隨初潮⽽來的不潔慾望。⼤家都說來經的女性應該留在家裏。沒
有任何⼈質疑過這個講法。我也沒有。這似乎很正常。

我以前看的醫⽣都說我身體沒任何問題。他們會說極度疼痛和⼤量經⾎都只是因為
dysmenorrhea（經痛的醫學名稱）。他們會說經⾎量多是正常的。我向他們解釋經
痛讓我多麼困擾——我會噁⼼想吐，會腹脹得不能穿上褲⼦。我告訴他們必理痛和
Midol雖然對其他女⽣有效，但對我已經沒作⽤了。我會痛得半夜醒過來，痛得肌
⾁抽搐或者全身顫抖。他們只是給我開了更多⽌痛藥，然後跟我說這是正常的。

我剛滿18歲的時候發⽣了這麼⼀件事。有⼀天我如常起床時，突然感覺有液體不受
控制的湧出身體。很快我就發現那都是⾎，然後我在暈倒前找到⼈幫助。醒來之後
我去了醫院。醫⽣說我患有⼦宮內膜異位症，加上⼀個直徑9厘⽶的卵巢囊腫。他
們要做⼿術把它切除。

我當時完全不知道⼦宮內膜異位症是什麼。但是知道有這麼⼀個病，⽽且有其他⼈
跟我⼀樣有這個問題，對我來說是很⼤的安慰。我經歷了⼿術，⽽且依然患有⼦宮
內膜異位症，但是我現在身邊有了⼀群幫助我度過這個難關的朋友。

我對這個病認識越深，就感到越憤怒，憤怒⼗年間醫⽣⼀直說我身體沒任何問題。
最可怕的是其他⼈讓你覺得你的症狀不是⼀回事，然後你會開始接受那疼痛，並且
默默承受痛楚。

當經痛嚴重得影響你的⽣活，這肯定不是正常的。很多時候，女性因為症狀被歸類
為所有女性共有的煩惱⽽無法得到適當診斷。我們必須在家庭、學校、辦公室、朋
友之間和親密關係中打破沈默的循環和⽉經的污名。因為如果女性繼續因⽉經感到
羞恥，並且得不到有關婦女疾病的教育，對她們的健康會造成嚴重威脅。⽽這，永
遠都不該被當作「正常」的事。
My whole life, I thought my period pain was normal. Every month, I would spend three
days in bed, unable to work, study or exercise. From the age of 11, I wore maternity pads
while other girls wore panty liners and tampons. The pain was so excruciating I’d cry,
and would only stop crying after the painkillers kicked in and lulled me to sleep. I
avoided anything too strenuous during my period. That was normal for me.

In my culture, talking about your period is not normal. Having your period is seen as a
woman’s “curse”, a private matter not to be discussed openly. I was not allowed in Hindu
temples when I was menstruating, because it was believed you are impure and cannot be
near gods. Going out alone or at night was frowned upon too - menstruating women
were vulnerable to evil spirits, or worse, impure urges that also come around at the time
of your first period. They should stay home. No one questioned this, and neither did I –
it seemed normal.

I saw doctors regularly who told me there was nothing wrong, that the extreme pain and
excessive bleeding was just dysmenorrhea (the medical term for menstrual cramps).
“Heavy periods are normal,” they’d say. I explained the agonizing pain, the nausea, the
bloating which became so bad I couldn’t do up my pants, the fact that Panadol and
Midol didn’t work for me like they did other girls, that I woke up in the middle of the
night with muscle cramps or shaking in pain. They prescribed me more painkillers and
told me it was normal.

Right after I turned 18, I woke up one morning and as I got out of bed, felt an
involuntary rush of liquid escaping my body. Quickly I realized it was blood, and
managed to call for help before I fainted. When I woke up, we went to the hospital, and
they told me that I had endometriosis, as well as a 9-centimetre ovarian cyst, and that
they needed an operation to remove it.

I had no idea what endometriosis was but knowing it existed and that other people had
it too was a huge comfort. I had the surgery, and still have endometriosis but now have a
support network of women and men who help me through it.

I’m still angry that for almost a decade I was told I was fine, when I knew better.
Nothing feels worse than being made to feel like your symptoms don’t exist, because you
begin to accept pain as something normal and you suffer in silence.

When menstrual pain is so bad it disrupts your life, it is not normal. Too often women
have their symptoms dismissed as women’s troubles and as a result are not able to get
diagnosed. We need to break the cycle of silence and stigma around menstruation in the
home, at school, work, in our friendship groups and relationships, because if women
continue to feel shame about their periods, and are not taught about female health
diseases or are too scared to act on it, it puts their health at serious risk and that should
never be considered normal.
Ai Wei
現居⾹港的⾺來西亞華⼈ / 新⼿媽媽
Malaysian Chinese living in Hong Kong, new mom
我來⾃⾺來西亞的傳統華⼈家庭。記憶中，⽼媽只有在我⼩學五年級第⼀次來⽉經
時，和我溝通過⽣理期的注意事項。其他有關性教育的資訊就只有中學的Biology課
上，⽼師以學術性的角度將有關知識傳授給我們。⽼師講課主要是關於性器官的構
造、運作等，只是為了應付考試⽽必須學的。

我在今年成為新⼿媽媽。原本以為⽣了寶寶後，經期會⾺上恢復。但原來餵全母乳
的媽媽經期是會延遲回來的！據說是因為哺乳期間女性泌乳激素升⾼，導致性腺荷
爾蒙分泌素分泌降低，抑制了排卵（Google⼤師告訴我的）。我喂了差不多六個⽉
的母乳，⼤姨媽才回來哦。女⼈的身體實在太奇妙了！成為媽媽之後，我對於女兒
未來的⽉經健康教育也有了不⼀樣的體會。我希望我可以通過更有趣、更多元的⽅
式傳達給她。例如在她長⼤後閱讀時，跟她⼀起閱讀相關的圖書、或是帶她⼀起參
加⼿作布衛⽣⼱的workshop等。最重要的是讓她可以了解及選擇⾃⼰想要的⽉經產
品！

I grew up in a traditional Malaysian Chinese family. From what I remember, my mom

talked to me about what to pay attention to during period only when my first period came.
I was in Primary 5. For other sex-related information, I only got them when our secondary
school Biology teacher taught us in class, from a purely academic perspective. The class
was mainly about human anatomy and how different organs operate. We learnt them only
for surviving exams.

I became a new mom this year. I thought that after giving birth, my period would just
resume immediately. But I figured out that breastfeeding moms would have their periods
delayed! I searched on Google and it says that the reason is, during breastfeeding, the
increased level of prolactin would cause a lower level of Gonadotropin-Releasing
Hormone, which eventually results in the inhibition of ovulation. My period came back
only after 6 months of breastfeeding. The female body is really miraculous. After
becoming a mom, I had new thoughts about my daughter’s future menstrual health
education. I wish I can educate her with more interesting and diversified ways, for example
reading relevant books together with her, or participating in handmade cloth menstrual
pad workshop together. The most important thing must be to ensure that she can
understand her choices and choose the menstrual product she wants to use!
 得
獎
及
優
秀
作
品
Awarded and outstanding artwork
 第⼀名 First place

奉獻 Consecration
朱仟青 / Chu Chin Ching
⽉經本是⾃然⽣理現象，象徵唯女性擁有的偉⼤⽣育能⼒。
世界各地許多傳統都視⽉經為不潔的禁忌，因⽽產⽣如⽉經
來潮的女性不可參與祭祀活動等忌諱⽉經的⽂化習俗。縱然
現代女性地位提升，但社會視⽉經為禁忌的古⽼意識依然根
深蒂固，經⾎和衛⽣⽤品仍被視作不潔之物。

將⽤過的棉條風乾加以消毒，運⽤經⾎和衛⽣⽤品作素材製
成花束，圖以花朵怡⼈形象打破⽉事的不潔官感。將花束帶
到譚公天后廟，放到⽣育之神女媧像前作為祭物，除了探問
傳統觀念和習俗禁忌，亦代表女性背負孕育⽣命的能⼒所付
出的奉獻，讚頌⽉事作為女性⼒量的天賦象徵。

Menstruation is a natural biological phenomenon, which signifies

the fertility of women. Around the world, menstruation is perceived
as impure in a lot of cultural traditions, which results in taboos like
prohibiting menstruating women from participation in religious
rituals. Even though the social status of women in the modern
times has generally risen, the ancient thought that menstruation is
a taboo is still deep-rooted in society. Menstrual blood and
menstrual products are still perceived as unclean.

I air-dried and disinfected used tampons, made use of menstrual

blood and menstrual products as ingredients to make a bouquet,
with the hope to break the perceived “uncleanness” of
menstruation with the loveliness of flowers. I brought the bouquet
to the Tam Kung Tin Hau Temple, and put it in front of the statue
of Nüwa, the goddess of fertility as offering. Apart from exploring
traditional concepts and social taboos, it also represents the
consecration of women for their ability to give birth, while lauding
menstruation as the god-given symbol of the strength of women.
Period Pad’s Pride
徐安程 / Chue On Ching
這三幅畫是同⼀系列的。現時女⽣
要拿衛⽣⼱出來都會害怕被⼈看到
，或是身邊的⼈都會覺得⽉經是⼀
樣不乾淨的事。但我認為⽉經其實
是⼀件很有意義的事，⽽且不值得
被他⼈批評。第⼀幅畫中有⼀位女
孩，亦其實是⼀塊衛⽣⼱。我希望
我們女性能擁抱「⽉經」，像衛⽣
⼱⼀樣擁抱著，為潔⽩的裙染來鮮
豔、獨⽴的紅⾊。

These three paintings are in a series.

Nowadays, girls would be scared of
having their sanitary pads spotted by
other people, or people around them
would think that menstruation is
something unclean. But I think that
menstruation is a meaningful thing,
and should not be criticised by other
people. In the first painting, there is a
girl who is also a menstrual pad. I
hope that we females can embrace
“menstruation”, embrace it like a
menstrual pad, and bring vivid,
independent red to the purely white
dress.
 第⼆名 Second place

這是系列中的第⼆幅。畫中女⽣的裙 這是系列中第三幅。畫中女⽣的裙已
已被⼀些⾎滴染成紅⾊，亦是來⽉經 染成紅⾊了，但她仍然願意接受它，
時衛⽣⼱的情況。 將這視為⼀件值得驕傲的事。

This is the second painting in the series.
The girl’s dress has been stained with
blood drops and has become red. This is
the situation of a menstrual pad during
period.
This is the third painting in the series.
The girl’s dress has been become totally
red, but she is still willing to accept it
and she thinks of it as something to be
proud of.
 第三名 Third place

上⽉若⽔
何卓逸 / Ho Cheuk Yat
作品以⽼⼦《道德經》⼆⼗八章：「知其雄，守其雌
，爲天下溪。爲天下溪，常德不離，復歸於嬰兒。」
為創作意念，展⽰雌性的柔韌⼒量。

⽉事是⽣命之源，是⽣命的開端，是延續⼈類命脈的
起點。作品以河流⽔流作背景，象徵⽣命在⽔體孕育
的意涵，⽽代表紅⾊的⽉經更是畫作中亮點，富有活
⼒流動之中。作品創作⾃然隨性，展⽰⽉經是⾃然⽽
然，⽣命的本有本在。

Inspired by Chapter 28 of Laozi’s Tao Te Jing: “Who

knows his manhood’s strength, yet still his female
feebleness maintains; as to one channel flow the many
drains, all come to him, yea, all beneath the sky. Thus he
the constant excellence retains; the simple child again,
free from all stains.”, this work showcases the toughness
and the flexibility of female.

Menstruation is the origin and the start of life, and is the

beginning of the bloodline of mankind. The work is
backgrounded by rivers and streams of water, which
signify the making of life in water. The virantly flowing
red which signifies menstruation is the highlight of the
artwork. The creation of this work is casual and
spontaneous, showing that menstruation is natural, and is
the essence of life that comes naturally with life.
Spreading Out in Red Blossom
林術慧 / Lam Shut Wai
紅是流⾎中的⾎，亦是⽉經的痛。

紅是美麗的顏⾊。絕⼤多花朵都有紅⾊，美化我們視
覺的紅⾊。

女⼈身體中擁有這天然的循環，這對我來說是充滿詩
意、神奇無比的。⾃然的紅⾊花朵擁抱我、⽀持我，
在我改變、前⾏、成長、療癒之時。

Red is blood in bleeding, and the pain of period.

Red is a beautiful colour. Most of the flowers has Red

colour aspect which beautify our vision.

Women have this nature’s cycle in their body, it makes

sense to me, in a poetic, magical way, that nature’s red
blossom holds and supports me as I change, move, grow,
and heal.
We Are Warriors
Kitty Bertrand
這幅作品”We Are Warriors”以藝術⼯作者⽂晶瑩的作品”Beautiful
Flower”為創作靈感，展⽰身為女性的⼒量和美態。化身為花朵的
棉條象徵女性身體以及女性的美︔上頭的紅⾊以唇膏塗上，暗⽰
審美標準潛移默化地塑造我們對女性身分的看法。模特兒臉上的
顏料是⼒量的象徵，展⽰女孩需要⼒量⾯對歧視，例如在⽉經時
被關進⼩屋︔或是在公眾場合被看到衛⽣⼱⽽遭取笑的時候。模
特兒強烈的視線代表許多女⽣在嘗試展⽰⼒量時需要經歷的恐懼
。此外，項鍊的宗教意味代表⽉經不論種族和宗教背景，和每位
女性的⽣活都息息相關。相⽚背景中的⾃然景象進⼀步強調⽉經
是女性⾃然的⽣理週期，並且應該被接納，⽽非抗拒。”We Are
Warriors”這幅作品嘗試在打破社會禁忌的同時，揭⽰⽉事所帶來
錯綜複雜的社會和⽂化意涵。

Inspired by Phoebe Man's "Beautiful Flowers", the piece "We Are

Warriors" showcases the strength and beauty of being a woman. The
tampon being turned into a flower symbolises the beauty of the female
anatomy thus of women; the red tint on it is lipstick, implying how
beauty standards subconsciously shape our view of what it means to
be a woman. The paint on the model’s face is a symbolism of strength,
showcasing the power that girls have to have when facing issues such
as major discrimination like being put in huts when on their periods,
or shamed for having pads in public. The intense glare of the model is
a way of recognising the horrors many girls must go through while
trying to showcase their strength and empowerment. Furthermore, the
religious imagery of the necklace exhibits the truth that menstruation
is a relevant aspect of every woman’s life, no matter their race or
religious beliefs. Additionally, the nature present in the background of
the image further emphasises that menstruation is a biologically
natural process that women go through and that it should be
embraced rather than rejected. The artwork “We Are Warriors”
attempts to bring to light the intricacies that come with menstruating,
all while trying to break social taboos.
Relaxation and Exploring Femininity
Iqra Abbasi
以前青春期的時候，我每逢經期都會感到⽔腫、不潔、和眩暈無
⼒。經過許多反思，我才發覺⽉經是代表⽣育和關顧⾃⼰的時間
。每個⽉這個時候，女性都可以為⾃⼰的身體、女性的特質和⼒
量感到⾃豪。所以對我來說，每當我想起⽉經，我都會想停⼀停
，放鬆下來︔同時為⾃⼰的身體和身體的奧妙感到驕傲。經期來
時，我不會理會社會給⽉經的負⾯印象，反⽽會去享受舒服的暖
⽔澡和精品花草茶，為身為女性感到驕傲。我的作品希望⿎勵女
性在經期時好好疼愛⾃⼰和⾃⼰奇妙的身體。於我⽽⾔，⽉經象
徵美麗和女性，所以我使⽤了很多花卉圖案。我希望透過作品影
響更多女性，讓她們在經期中意識到⾃⼰的⼒量和女性特質。經
期雖然是充滿挑戰的，卻也是靜下來呵護⾃⼰的時間。

When I used to have my period in my adolescence, I felt bloated,

unclean, and groggy. It had to take a lot of introspection and reflection
for me to realise that menstruation is a time of fertility and self-care.
It's the time of the month when a woman can be proud of her body, her
femininity, and her strength. Hence, to me, when I think of
menstruation, I think about kicking back and relaxing, while
simultaneously being proud of my body and its wonders. When I'm on
my period, I dismiss the negative implications society has regarding
menstruation. Instead, I choose to treat myself with nice warm baths
and exquisite herbal teas, feeling proud to be a woman. My artwork
therefore serves to encourage women to pamper and love themselves
and their wondrous bodies when it is their time of the month. To me,
menstruation signifies beauty and femininity, which accounts for my
heavy use of floral patterns in my artwork. I hope that through my art,
I can influence more women to realise their strength and femininity
during menstruation, which although is a challenging time, is also a
time for serenity and pampering.
My blood is not blue
陳海雅 / Chan Hoi Ngar
經⾎是禁忌，在衛⽣⼱電視廣告中，是沒有經⾎的，
宣傳防滲，吸收⼒驚⼈的，只有淨化了的藍⾊液體。
藍⾊無垢，純淨清新如廣告中的女主角。⾎污留給現
實中的⽤家。

我⽤即影即有相紙，布質 Washi tape 拼貼出這作品，

紅⾊的底紙才是本來的真⾯⽬。

以「blue blood」為幽默的詞，說出我們只是⼈類，男
的女的也⼀樣。

Menstrual blood is a taboo. In TV advertisements for

sanitary pads, there is no menstrual blood. The liquid used
to promote anti-leak and highly absorbent sanitary pads
is purified blue liquid. Blue is stainless, as pure and fresh
as the female model in the advertisement. The bloodstain
is only for the real-life users.

I used an instant film and fabric Washi tape to make this

collage. The red paper is the “true colours”.

With the humorous phrase “blue blood”, this work speaks

out that we are all humans, no matter male or female.
Thorn (刺)
錢銀笑 / Qian Yinxiao
⽣理期所經歷的痛楚和嘔吐，無⼒反抗，無處可攀緣
只能接受和忍受，重覆著失去意識又醒覺。整個身體
瀰漫著如霧的陰沉，不斷擴散。粗糙的質感和若深若
淺的墨跡作為我的語⾔表達難以⾔語的過程和感受。
The pain and nausea experienced during menstruation is
irresistible. There is nothing to cling onto, so the only way
is to accept it, to endure it, and to repeatedly awake and
pass out. The whole body is filled with the gloom of fog
which spreads endlessly. The roughness of the texture and
the ink marks that seem to be both dark and light are my
words, they express an unspeakable process and
unspeakable feelings.
⽉之身
陳鍵婷 / Chan Kin Ting
對於我⽽⾔，⽉事是無可避免，每當它來，我感乏⼒
，無奈，那種⽣不如死的痛...

但它是我們女⼠的其中⼀部份，與我們共存

與其逃避 倒不如接受它的存在

Menstruation is unavoidable to me. Whenever it comes, I

feel weak, helpless, and the agonising pain...

But it is a part of us women, it coexists with us.

Instead of escaping from it, it is better to accept its

existence.

作品涉及裸露身體，未能在此展⽰完整
版。如欲觀看作品原貌，請掃描左⽅⼆
維條碼。Full version of this artwork
cannot be shown here due to nudity. Please
scan the QR code on the left for the original
artwork.
A Close-up of
Innocent Endometrium
五三 / Lesley

第⼀次發現衛⽣⼱上的⼦宮內膜時，我完全不知道它
是什麼。我把它放到紙⼱上⾯，充滿好奇地給媽媽看
。她只給了我⼀個字：「噁⼼」。

之後我上網搜尋，知道了它的名字，發現它是隨著⽉
經正常排出身體的。我依然不明⽩為何它被視為「噁
⼼」，它可是我身體的⼀部分。還是正因為我身體會
製造噁⼼的東西，它才噁⼼呢︖

這相⽚攝於⼦宮內膜在我洗澡後掉到地上的⼀刻。我
第⼀個反應是帶著⼀直以來的懷疑深入觀察它。然後
我發現它⼀直如是，沒有情感、沒有情緒、沒有有⾊
眼鏡，就只是完完全全的⼦宮內膜。

When I first noticed the endometrium on my pad, I had no

idea what it was. I put it onto a piece of tissue and showed
to my mum with curiosity while I received only with the
word “disgusting”.

I then got to know its official name via searching online,

and noticed that it came normally from my body along
with menstruation. While I still hardly understand why it
was regarded as “disgusting” since it was part of my body.
Or was it really because that my body produced disgusting
stuff?

This was the moment when my endometrium accidentally

slipped on the floor after I had just finished showering.
The first reaction of me was taking an extreme look into it
with all my doubt I had so far. Then I found that it was
just the way it was, without any emotion, sentiment and
colored spectacles but absolutely endometrium.
Printed for the “I am period-positive” - Menstruation and You Creative
Visual Arts Exhibition, organised by MenstruAction and 480.0 Gender
& Art Space, sponsored by Hong Kong Sociological Association and
Women Helping Women Hong Kong.

Published on 1 November, 2019.

All rights reserved.

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