Abstract

The Olympic Games are global events which aim to build a peaceful and better world through supporting and promoting the spirit of fair play in sport. The Olympic Mascot carries the symbolic meaning of the Olympic Games yet also represents the cultural heritage of the host city. How to blend local culture with the Olympic spirit and realize them in a global event is the major concern when designing an Olympic Mascot. One of the Authors of this paper is the original concept designer of the Beijing 2008 Olympic mascot. This paper documents the inspiration which led to the original concept of the 2008 Olympic mascot design, and describes in detail how traditional Chinese culture was adapted to reflect the Olympic spirit in the evolution of the mascot design. It also shows how to blend local Chinese culture effectively with global recognition, and realize local attraction in a global event.