The **Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot** is a significant element of the upcoming Games. A mascot serves as a symbol of the event and represents its values and spirit. The official mascot for the Beijing Olympics 2022 is Bing Dwen Dwen, a giant panda, which holds great cultural significance for China. Pandas are native to China and are known worldwide for their adorable appearance and playful nature. They have long been considered a national treasure and are associated with peace and friendship. Bing Dwen Dwen, with its round shape and smiling face, embodies the lovable nature of pandas.
Scalpers are selling the swaddled up panda for up to Rmb2000 (about $300) he says, but then catches himself: "Am I allowed to say that for broadcast? Do you need an answer that's more in line with Chinese socialist values?" he asks NPR.
The design for Bing Dwen Dwen was chosen from over 5,800 submissions from China and 35 countries around the world as part of a global competition arranged by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. The bright colours of the halo around its face are a representation of the latest advanced technologies of the ice and snow sport tracks at the Games, while the heart on its left palm symbolises China s hospitality for athletes and spectators at the Winter Olympics.
Bing Dwen Dwen, with its round shape and smiling face, embodies the lovable nature of pandas. The mascot's name, Bing Dwen Dwen, translates to "icy winter treasure" in English, highlighting the connection to the Winter Olympics. The name also reflects the climate in Beijing during the Games, as the city experiences cold winters.
A fluffy panda mascot is all the rage at the Winter Olympics
The mascot of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Bing Dwen Dwen, made his debut in 2019 at the Shougang Ice Hockey Arena in Beijing.
Xinyu Cui/Getty Images
BEIJING — One of the stars of this year's Winter Olympic Games is its mascot: a fluffy panda named Bing Dwen Dwen.
The stuffed animal version has become so sought after that people are camping overnight to buy it.
Outside one of Beijing's largest official Olympic merchandise store on a recent day, the line is long and growing longer — despite a loudspeaker blaring the same line over and over: All Bing Dwen Dwen stuffed animals have sold out for the day.
Li Zhaoyang's still on his Lunar New Year break from high school, and he says he joined the line just to get in on all the buzz around Bing Dwen Dwen. He wants to collect the panda mascot as an Olympics memento.
One small problem I tell him: Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out. Even the 500 pandas allotted for pre-sale orders have been nabbed by people who lined up outside the store the night before.
Even those customers aren't so lucky. They will only be able to pick up their orders during the last week of February, after the Olympics Games have ended.
Bing Dwen Dwen, or "ice chubster" as his name roughly translates to, has skyrocketed in popularity all of a sudden, in part due to scarcity. Factories churning out soft collectibles are limiting production. The shortage has fueled a kind of mindless mania on social media for all things Bing Dwen Dwen.
Outside the Olympics store, Rose Ling and her young daughter also say they are in line simply to see what all the fuss is about.
Staff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesStaff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
"The line was huge just a few minutes ago," she says. "It wrapped around the corner just a few minutes ago, so we jumped in only to find out Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out."
For the more open-minded, there are other options. The Beijing Olympic Committee designed a Paralympics mascot named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a dancing red lantern available in cute, stuffed animal form as well.
But no one seems very eager.
"Xue Rongrong is just too ugly," says Roger Li, who's come with his friend to see what other Olympics-themed tchotchkes they can buy given Bing Dwen Dwen is beyond their purchasing power.
Scalpers are selling the swaddled up panda for up to Rmb2000 (about $300) he says, but then catches himself: "Am I allowed to say that for broadcast? Do you need an answer that's more in line with Chinese socialist values?" he asks NPR.
By the time I got into the Olympic souvenir shop, only a few gold bracelets and pins were left. No Bing Dwen Dwen. I could, however, sign up for a new credit card to enter a lottery for a chance to win one of the coveted bears.
Aowen Cao contributed research from Beijing.
- winter olympics
The design for Bing Dwen Dwen was chosen from over 5,800 submissions from China and 35 countries around the world as part of a global competition arranged by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. The designs were reviewed by Chinese and international experts, with the final selections made by teams from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and Jilin University of the Arts. The selection of an animated panda for Beijing 2022's official mascot is not too surprising, as the giant panda is the national animal of China - not to mention that a panda was one of the five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Bing Dwen Dwen's design incorporates various elements of Chinese culture and winter sports. The mascot is shown wearing a red scarf, which symbolizes good luck and joy in Chinese culture. The color red is also associated with the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated during the Winter Olympics. Bing Dwen Dwen also wears goggles, reflecting the importance of winter sports and the need for protective equipment. As a giant panda, Bing Dwen Dwen represents the harmony between humans and nature, as pandas are an endangered species and are protected by conservation efforts. The mascot aims to promote environmental awareness and sustainability, aligning with the values of the Olympic Games. The choice of a panda as the Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot not only showcases China's rich cultural heritage but also captures the spirit of the Games. Bing Dwen Dwen, with its friendly and inviting appearance, aims to engage and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. The mascot will play a key role in promoting the Games and creating a sense of unity and excitement among athletes and spectators alike..
Reviews for "The Beijing Olympics 2022 Mascot: An Expression of Chinese Hospitality and Warmth"
1. John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot. The design was unappealing and lackluster, without any creativity or originality. It seemed like a mere combination of random elements without any thought behind it. Moreover, the colors were dull and did not catch my attention. Overall, I found the mascot to be unimpressive and forgettable.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - As an avid follower of the Olympics, I was really looking forward to the Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot, but it failed to meet my expectations. The mascot's design was confusing and poorly executed. It was difficult to comprehend the message it was trying to convey, if there was any at all. Additionally, the choice of colors was uninspiring and looked outdated. I believe the design team could have done a much better job in creating a mascot that truly represents the country and the spirit of the games.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I found the Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot to be underwhelming. The design lacked originality and looked like a hodgepodge of elements from previous Olympic mascots. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase China's rich culture and history. The colors used were too muted and did not evoke any excitement or anticipation for the games. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of creativity and thought put into the mascot design.
4. Emily - 1 star - The Beijing Olympics 2022 mascot was a major letdown for me. The design was uninspiring and lacked any character or charm. It seemed like the creators took the easy route by incorporating elements that were already familiar from previous Olympics mascots, instead of coming up with something unique. The colors were dull and unexciting, failing to capture the spirit of the games. I was expecting more from the host country's mascot, and I was left disappointed.