I bought this in Xi'an, at the little store by the front gate of the Xi Bei Da Xue (rough trans.: Northwestern University), when I was sixteen. There were a number of strange aspects to the entire transaction, starting with the fact that I was a capitalist running-dog, big-nose ghost that probably ate Chinese children whenever I got the chance, which sort of freaked out the clerk in the store. Secondly, I wanted to know how much the little thing cost - an important phrase to know, as a capitalist - when I'm certain that any native Chinese could have told me how much it cost (a few Renminbi) without a thought. Third, I was not a communist, and that's what the little star represents, of course, and it may have even denoted membership in the party.

I really liked the star, but never sewed it to my hat. Instead, I've created an OS X icon, which you are welcome to download and use.