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2008-03-29 06:16 |
Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color andinspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and goodwishes from China -- to children all over the world.
Designed to express the playful qualities of five little childrenwho form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the naturalcharacteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish,the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.
Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional wayof expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish,Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is theTibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.
When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- theysay "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects themission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirationsof people from every part of the vast country of China. In theirorigins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature-- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically renderedin ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folkart and ornamentation.
Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go
In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition ofspreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwasymbolizes a different blessing -- and will honor this tradition bycarrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity,happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to everycontinent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every partof the globe.
At the heart of their mission -- and through all of their work --Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through theOlympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme ofOne World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desireof the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship throughthe Games -- and to invite every man, woman and child to take part inthe great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in thelight of the flame in 2008.
In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designsare symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries theblessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chineseculture, another measure of a good year and a good life.
The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken fromwell-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is knownto be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blueOlympic ring.
Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings theblessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in thecharming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his blackand white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandasare adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing'sheaddress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the SongDynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmoniousrelationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to representour desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty ofnature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly na?ve andoptimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents theblack Olympic ring.
In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He isa child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport-- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in thecenter of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And whilehe inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and bestronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuanshines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishfulblessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs ofhis head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with justa touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing andenthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the redOlympic ring.
Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftlycover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol ofthe vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing ofhealth, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature.Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to theQinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection inChina. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijingcommitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates severaldecorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and theethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and fieldevents, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents theyellow Olympic ring.
Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flownbeautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital.Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally oneof the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand traditionof flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky andspread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is alsopronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called asan ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful asa swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympicring.
Sources: 2008.sina.com.cn September 26, 2007 17:16 Xinhua |
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