Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration,
Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying
a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children
all over the world.
Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an
intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics 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 way of
expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the
Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini
is the Swallow.
When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say
"Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of
Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people
from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their
headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire,
earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep
traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.
Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They
Go
In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good
wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing
-- and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children
of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be
spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to
every part of 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 the Olympic spirit.
Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to
every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out
to the world in friendship through the Games -- and to invite every man, woman
and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China
will host in the light of the flame in 2008.
Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great
stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of
China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of
body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the
essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first
animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope
reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates
several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the
ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events,
Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic
ring.