2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots

The 2008 Summer Games is scheduled to be held in Beijing, the capital city of People’s Republic of China. The 2008 Beijing Summer Games will begin on 8th August and will continue till 24th August. This upcoming Summer Games in Beijing, China, are planned to comprise 302 events in 28 sports.

Olympic Mascots

Generally, the Olympics mascot is an animal or human figure representing the cultural heritage of the host country and was first introduced in the year 1968. Schuss, a cartoon-like character on skis, was the unofficial mascot of the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble. However, the first official mascot in the history of Summer Olympic made its appearance at the 1972 Munich Summer Games, ever since Olympic Mascots have become a main element of the Summer Games. As a unique and popular image full of vitality, a mascots is able to materialize the Olympic spirit, communicate the concepts of each Summer Games, promote the history and culture of the host city and create a festive atmosphere for the Games. Mascots act as a significant vehicle for communicating the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially children and youth. Whatever shapes they have, they fundamentally share a creative rationale, that is, the mascots must be able to convey the theme of the Summer Games, showcase the distinctive geographical features, history and culture unique to the host city.

2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots

A long awaited 2008 Beijing Summer Games mascots was unveiled on November 11, 2005, exactly 1000 days before the Beijing Summer Games. Olympics 2008 mascots is a set of five doll mascots, which draw their color and inspiration from the five Olympic rings.2008 Beijing Summer Games mascots> is designed by Han Meilin, chief of the mascot designers' group. He said that since it was not possible for a single figure to represent China’s intense and diversified culture, his team came out with the idea of five mascots instead of one. “Fuwa”, 2008 Beijing Summer Games mascots, 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. Fuwa or Friendlies, Beijing Summer Games Mascots, is a symbol that carry with it a message of friendship and peace and convey blessings from China to children all over the world.

Each Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name – represents Beibei the Fish, Jingjing the Panda, Huanhuan the Olympic Flame, Yingying the Tibetan Antelope and Nini the Swallow. Each of these five names seems like a possible child name, but when put together, they sound identical to a phrase meaning, “Beijing welcomes you”.

With the motto of spreading prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck across the continents, Fuwa,2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots, offers a warm invitation for the 2008 Summer Games.

Beibei

Beibei is known to be gentle and purest among Fuwa and reflects the blue Olympic rings. The fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest in Chinese culture and art. Beibei reflects the strength in water sports.

Jingjing

Jingjing, one of the five dolls of 2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots, symbolizes blessing of happiness wherever he goes. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress represent the lush green forest and man’s harmonious relationship with nature. Jingjing reflects the black Olympic rings. He shows the strength in athletics.

Huanhuan

Better known as big brother among Fuwa, Huanhuan represents red Olympic rings. As a child of fire, he symbolizes the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport. It is believed that wherever he goes he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger. Huanhuan reflects the excellence in ball games.

Yingying

Yingying as a symbol of being fast and agile represents the yellow Olympic rings. It reflects the strength in track and field events.

Nini

Nini symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing. It represents the green Olympic rings and reflects strength in gymnastics.