Dolphin mascot 'causes a storm' at China Games

The white dolphin mascot at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games of China in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province, November 9. Photo: Xinhua .

Besides the exciting competitions of the 15th National Sports Festival, the two mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong in this year's festival unexpectedly became the center of attention thanks to their adorable appearance and special appeal to the audience.

With their round heads, chubby bodies and mischievous expressions, the duo were mistaken by netizens as “Big Bay chicks” and instantly became an internet phenomenon. Videos and memes of the two mascots have attracted more than 640 million views on Douyin, making them one of the most viral topics of the moment.

According to the Global Times , Xiyangyang and Lerongrong are not chickens, but are based on the Chinese white dolphin, a rare animal known as the “sea panda.” This dolphin species currently lives year-round in the waters of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a dynamic economic zone connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong were initially mistaken for chicks. Photo: Southern+.

The choice of the white dolphin as the mascot was carefully considered by the design team of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.

Mr. Luu Binh Van, head of the design team, said this animal is a symbol of harmony between humans and nature, and also represents the spirit of solidarity, perseverance and aspiration for unity, the values that the sports festival aims for.

The three-colored water fountain on top, which can easily be mistaken for a “cockscomb”, actually represents the three flowers that are typical of the three host localities. Photo: @dongfangmoke.

The appeal of the dolphin mascot comes not only from its design but also from its lively performances at competitions. From dancing, handstands to mischievous actions like “kissing”, these series of adorable moments delight audiences in the stadium and online.

What few people know is that the people who transform into the mascots are students from martial arts schools, who have spent nearly five months practicing rhythmic jumping, spinning, and bouncing movements in costumes weighing about 8 kg. Thanks to their martial arts skills and flexibility, they have breathed “soul” into the costumes, turning the mascots into truly vivid characters.

The viral effect on the internet quickly turned into economic power. The mascot-themed products sold strongly, from the 12 zodiac blind boxes to the lion dance decorations, all designed in the shape of Xiyangyang and Lerongrong. More than 2,800 officially licensed products were launched in more than 700 physical stores and 70 online stores. In particular, the 89 yuan blind box series was sold out in a short time.

During the opening ceremony, the two mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong were dressed up and performed by teenagers from the Wong Fei Hung Martial Arts School (Foshan). Photo: @dongfangmoke.

Cultural experts assess that the success of this mascot is part of the strong development trend of Chinese cultural and creative products recently, following the popularity of Bing Dwen Dwen (2022 Beijing Winter Olympics) and previously Fuwa (2008 Olympics).

Character brands such as Na Tra, Ton Ngo Khong or Labubu also contribute to creating the "IP wave" - the trend of using cultural characters to develop products, tourism and creative economy.

Hu Yu, director of the Institute of Cultural Creation at Tsinghua University, commented that successful cultural products today all possess a clear cultural core, modern design, exquisite craftsmanship and suit the tastes of young consumers.

Source: https://znews.vn/linh-vat-ca-heo-gay-bao-tai-dai-hoi-the-thao-trung-quoc-post1602870.html