Close to the Ambassadors of 2008 Games

It is from recent classes that I found how intrigued some students are by the creation of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Mascots, which makes it irresistible for me to find more about those five little creatures and share with people who are interested to know.

As you may see from the picture above, these five playful childlike beings share the same title “Fuwa” which serve as the official mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace, as well as good wishes from China to children all over the world. Fuwa embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals --- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope and the Swallow--- and the Olympic flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name which is a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China and usually used as the nickname. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda (It is such an honor that I share the same nickname), Huanhuan the Olympic Flame, Yingying the Tibetan Antelope and Nini the Swallow. When you put their names together “Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni”, by the literal meaning “Beijing welcomes you”, they say “Welcome to Beijing”. Besides, from their heads ornaments, you can find the five elements of nature: the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky, representing the profound influence of traditional Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

As a whole, each of Fuwa shows unique personalities. Beibei the fish is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, as you may see the ornamental lines of the water-wave on her head piece, she represents the blue Olympic ring. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who reflects the black Olympic ring. Huanhuan, as the big brother in the circle, symbolizes the passion of sport. He is outgoing and enthusiastic, good at all ball games and represents the red Olympic ring. As a symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring. Nini’s figure is drawn from the Chinese tradition of kite designs. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

After those words, I am sure that you cannot help giving an exclamation on how smart the idea was. We wait to see if these fabulous ambassadors could live up to the high expectation of every Chinese to perfectly fulfill their missions by 2008.