ARTS / ART
Chinese elements shine in opening and closing ceremonies of Beijing 2022
Story of a snowflake
Editor's Note:
The story of a snowflake that started with the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and ended with the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics shined a light on diverse Chinese elements based on both traditional culture and modern technology.
The snowflake departed the city as the curtain dropped on the Beijing Winter Paralympics on Sunday, but the cherished memories will stay forever. Let's look back on these stunning elements that appeared alongside this symbol of winter sports.
The Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was full of dazzling fireworks that referenced Chinese tradition and culture. During the ceremony, a creatively designed firework in a shape of a "greeting pine" burst forth in the sky. The "greeting pine" symbolizes Beijing's warm hospitality and friendly yet comprehensive service provided to Winter Olympic guests from all over the world. It was inspired by one of China's most well-known natural landmarks, a 1,000-year-old pine tree on Mount Huangshan in China's Anhui Province. The pine's naturally extended branches look like it is a host welcoming guests.
24 Solar Terms
The exciting counting down phase of the opening ceremony used the creative idea of counting backwards using China's traditional 24 Solar Terms, starting from the last to the first, known as lichun, or Start of Spring. This term refers to the start of springtime in traditional Chinese culture.
Fireworks forming the Chinese characters lichun and the English word "spring" lit up the sky during the ceremony, sending a message to the world, which still lives under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, to unite in Beijing and work together for a shared future.
Bidding farewell
The symbolic "willow twig" farewell at the closing ceremony of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games was also one of the most eye-catching details that won the hearts of viewers.
During the program, a group of people holding light beams produced by "true laser" technology form a towering tree. The light passed through the snowflake torch platform to reach the sky, representing the most sincere of emotions, the sadness of a farewell and the hope of expectations.
The 12 Chinese zodiac signs at the closing ceremony echoed the 24 Solar Terms at the opening ceremony.
The performers pushed ice carts shaped like the 12 zodiac signs and drew their images on the ice.
The designs on ice and the countless red ribbons "flying into" the National Stadium under the big LED light finally covered the giant snowflake at the center and eventually turned it into a Chinese knot that symbolizes connection and togetherness.
At the opening ceremony, Chinese musicians with disabilities played traditional music with Chinese instruments such as guzheng, or Chinese zither, and pipa, an instrument similar to a lute. Their appearance helped further promote traditional Chinese music around the world while also sending the nation's best wishes to all the international guests.
The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics emphasized the concept of "concentric circles" in its stage design.
In traditional Chinese culture, concentric circles represents auspicious concepts such as unity, friendship and equality, according to Shen Chen, chief director of the ceremony.
Throughout the opening ceremony, concentric circles could be seen almost everywhere, such as having performers stand in circles when displaying the Olympic emblem.
The story of a snowflake that started with the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and ended with the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics shined a light on diverse Chinese elements based on both traditional culture and modern technology.
The snowflake departed the city as the curtain dropped on the Beijing Winter Paralympics on Sunday, but the cherished memories will stay forever. Let's look back on these stunning elements that appeared alongside this symbol of winter sports.
Photo: VCG
Greeting pineThe Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was full of dazzling fireworks that referenced Chinese tradition and culture. During the ceremony, a creatively designed firework in a shape of a "greeting pine" burst forth in the sky. The "greeting pine" symbolizes Beijing's warm hospitality and friendly yet comprehensive service provided to Winter Olympic guests from all over the world. It was inspired by one of China's most well-known natural landmarks, a 1,000-year-old pine tree on Mount Huangshan in China's Anhui Province. The pine's naturally extended branches look like it is a host welcoming guests.
24 Solar Terms
The exciting counting down phase of the opening ceremony used the creative idea of counting backwards using China's traditional 24 Solar Terms, starting from the last to the first, known as lichun, or Start of Spring. This term refers to the start of springtime in traditional Chinese culture.
Fireworks forming the Chinese characters lichun and the English word "spring" lit up the sky during the ceremony, sending a message to the world, which still lives under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, to unite in Beijing and work together for a shared future.
Bidding farewell
The symbolic "willow twig" farewell at the closing ceremony of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games was also one of the most eye-catching details that won the hearts of viewers.
During the program, a group of people holding light beams produced by "true laser" technology form a towering tree. The light passed through the snowflake torch platform to reach the sky, representing the most sincere of emotions, the sadness of a farewell and the hope of expectations.
Photo: AFP
Zodiac signsThe 12 Chinese zodiac signs at the closing ceremony echoed the 24 Solar Terms at the opening ceremony.
The performers pushed ice carts shaped like the 12 zodiac signs and drew their images on the ice.
The designs on ice and the countless red ribbons "flying into" the National Stadium under the big LED light finally covered the giant snowflake at the center and eventually turned it into a Chinese knot that symbolizes connection and togetherness.
Photo: Xinhua
Traditional musicAt the opening ceremony, Chinese musicians with disabilities played traditional music with Chinese instruments such as guzheng, or Chinese zither, and pipa, an instrument similar to a lute. Their appearance helped further promote traditional Chinese music around the world while also sending the nation's best wishes to all the international guests.
Photo: Xinhua
A meaningful countdownThe opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics emphasized the concept of "concentric circles" in its stage design.
In traditional Chinese culture, concentric circles represents auspicious concepts such as unity, friendship and equality, according to Shen Chen, chief director of the ceremony.
Throughout the opening ceremony, concentric circles could be seen almost everywhere, such as having performers stand in circles when displaying the Olympic emblem.
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