Cultural tips

Mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympics

The Official Mascots of Beijing 2008, the 29th Olympic Games are five playful dolls called Fuwa. People draw the color and inspiration of Fuwa from a vast Chinese territory and the adorable animal features. Fuwa carry a message of friendship, peace, the enterprising spirit, and the blessings of the harmony from China—to the children all over the world.

Fuwa embody the natural characteristics of the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow and the Olympic Flame. Each of them has a rhyming two-syllable name—a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. They are beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Nini. When you put their names together—Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni—they say "Welcome to Beijing", offering a warm invitation to the world.

Fuwa also embody both 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 stylistic rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation, showing the splendid culture of China and spread the blessing to all over the world.

In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading blessings through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing—prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck. They will carry the warm invitation of Beijing and spread the blessings to every continent, inviting the people of every part of the globe to come to Beijing, to be joy in Beijing 2008.

Chinese KungFu
Chinese KungFu Chinese KungFu is a general designation of Chinese martial arts and qigong is a kind of cultural phenomenon which forms gradually in the long-term course of production and recognition of our limbs is a kind of precious heritage of Chinese traditional culture is also a kind of sports pattern with special value.

Chinese martial arts was created by the Chinese nation in the long-term process of history evolution, and gradually took shape of a item of athletic sport. It went through several stages following: the primitive society stage with the aim of living; the Warring States Period mainly using its military skill; and then the widely spreading stage among the people; finally the systematizing and standardizing stage after the year of 1949.

Chinese qigong is the body movement that takes form gradually in the recognition course of the limbs movement and body mechanism, concentrating on cultivating the heart and nature culture as well as prolonging life.

In the wake of China's Reform, qigong has been known outside China, and widely spread all over the world. In order to promote the development of Chinese qigong within the world, the International Olympic Committee has placed it on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games events. It's certain that the Chinese traditional culture will be expanded completely via qigong and qigong also can let the world know China well.