Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games Mascot ‘Beibei’

The five mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were known collectively as Fuwa, or ‘good luck dolls’. Also known as ‘Friendlies’, their individual names, Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini together form the sentence ‘Beijing welcomes you’ in Chinese.

The mascots correspond to the five natural elements, and their colours to the five Olympic rings. Each one bears a wish, in keeping with ancient Chinese culture in which wishes were communicated through signs or symbols.

Representing the element of water, the fish-shaped mascot Beibei symbolises prosperity and abundance in Chinese culture. Her blue color corresponds to one of the Olympic rings, while the wave motifs on her head are inspired by traditional Chinese art.