Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon Photo: cnsphoto

Shuey Rhon Rhon is the official mascot of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. The cute cartoon creature was inspired by the Chinese red lantern.

The mascot has a round head with two cute doted eyes on its face. The "red lantern" image for Shuey Rhon Rhon came from the core designer's memories about the red lanterns that would be hung during the Spring Festival holidays in her hometown in Northeast China's ­Heilongjiang Province. 

According to designer Jiang Yufan, a student at Jilin University of Arts, the "red lantern" element can convey a sense of joy as well as China's friendly and warm hospitality to people around the world participating in the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.

In keeping with the theme of winter sports, Shuey Rhon Rhon's face sports a white cloud-shaped patch of snow. Above its head, a circle refers to the traditional "ruyi" scepter, which symbolizes good fortunes and best wishes for Paralympics participants.  

 The mascot's body part was also creatively designed to be able to show lightness from inside it. The design delivers an encouraging message to Para athletes that their dreams can bring warmth into the world and that the lights in their heart can be seen. 

Although there are two "Rhon" in the mascot's name, they have different meanings. The first "Rhon" suggests the ideas of tolerance and mutual sharing and learning, whereas the second means "to fuse" and "warmth." Along with the "Xue" that suggests purity and beauty, the mascot's name embodies the hopes for a better world and the idea that "a shared future for mankind" is to be fulfilled through the Beijing 2022 Paralympics Games.