The Olympic Emblem
Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008
Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing"
is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the
city's commitment to the world.
MileStone
"Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It
serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the
spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import
of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's
descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the
city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet
bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and
emotions.
In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will
attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing
and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people.
Commitment
"Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved
with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that
has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing
the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient
civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented
city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal.
It is a symbol of trust and an expression of self confidence,
standing for the solemn yet sacred promise that Beijing - the
host city of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - has made to the
world and to all mankind.
"Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone (literally
meaning sincerity smoothes the way to success)." The inception
of our ancestors' wisdom and the image of a seal made of metal
and stone allow the emblem to present Chinese people's respect
and honesty for the Olympics.
The moment we earnestly imprint the emblem with the "Chinese
seal", Beijing is about to show the world a grand picture
of "peace, friendship, and progress of mankind" and
to strike up the passionate movement of "faster, higher,
and stronger" for mankind.
Image
"Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance.
It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the
nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It
is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and
elegance of Chinese civilization.
With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic
art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's
name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting
the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing
2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters
in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings
Chinese people possess towards the Olympics.
As people ponder on the rich connotations and charms of these
Chinese characters, a "New Beijing" has thus been brought
forward.
Beauty
"Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese
people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem,
hushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's
longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life.
Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life
and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality,
and China's blessing and invitation to the world.
Hero
"Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions
as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and
glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable
part of the occasion.
The powerful and dynamic design of the emblem is a life poem
written by all participants with their passion, affections, and
enthusiasm. It is an oath every participant takes to contribute
power and wisdom to the Olympics.
The emblem cheers for arts and for the Olympic heroes, who pass
down the essence of the Olympic Spirit, which well connects sports
and cultures.
Spirit
"Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation.
The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence
of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling
dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization;
they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the
nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of
life.
The intrinsic values of sports - athlete-centered and people-oriented
- are well defined and upgraded in an artistic way in "the
dance of Beijing." We sing if words fail to explain it all,
and we dance if the singing does not explicitly tell the meaning.
Vigorous Beijing is looking forward to the celebration in 2008
and the Olympics wait all mankind to dance together.
Invitation
"Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms
in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the
rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace,
friendship and progress of mankind."
"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The
idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese
people and expresses the sincerity of the city.
Come to Beijing, take a good look at the historical heritages
of China's Capital city, and feel the pulse of the country's modernization;
Come, share every piece of its joy, and experience the vigor
of the country;
Come, and let us together weave a peaceful and wonderful dream
