Cultural Differences between Chinese and Foreign Mascots Activity Time: 2010.2.24 Activity Member: Zhang Mengxiao I. History of Mascots The word mascot originated from the French Proven?al word Mascotto. The history of mascot The word mascot originated from the French Proven?al language Mascotto, until the end of the 19th century was formally Mascotte spelling in the French dictionary, the English Mascot from this derivation, meaning that it can bring good luck, good luck of people, animals or things. Olympic mascots began in the Winter Olympics. II. Olympic mascot 1972, 20th Olympic Games, Munich, Germany - beagle "Valdi" mascot 1976, 21st Olympic Games, Montreal, Canada - beaver "Ami". -1976, 21st Olympic Games, Montreal, Canada - mascot of the beaver "Amick" 1980, 22nd Olympic Games, Moscow, USSR - mascot of the brown bear "Micha" 1984, 23rd Olympic Games, USA 1984, 23rd Olympic Games, Los Angeles, USA - "Sam" the Eagle mascot 1988, 24th Olympic Games, Seoul, South Korea - "Tiger Cub". "Tiger mascot Barcelona, Spain, 25th Olympic Games, 1992 - Kirby dog mascot Atlanta, USA, 26th Olympic Games, 1996 - computerized mascot 1996, 26th Olympic Games, Atlanta, USA - computerized "Issy" mascot 2000, 27th Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia - "Said" the platypus, "Said" the echidna, "Said" the dog mascot, and "Said" the dog mascot. Sydney, Australia - "Syd" the platypus, "Millie" the echidna and "Ollie" the fish-eating bird mascots Athens, Greece - 28th Olympic Games, 2004 - Athena and Phevna mascots Athena and Phevos mascots 2008, 29th Olympic Games, Beijing, China - Olympic Fuwa: "Bei Bei", "Jing Jing", "Huan Huan", "Huanhuan", "Yingying", "Nini" III. Analyzing the Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Animal Metaphors from the Selection of the Mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games In order to enhance the communication and exchange between different nationalities and countries, we should pay attention to the promotion of our own excellent culture, and at the same time, we need to respect each other's cultural traditions and understand the differences between cultures. By analyzing the reasons why the Chinese dragon was not selected as the mascot of the Olympic Games, we will analyze the different cultural meanings represented by the same animal in both Chinese and English languages, so as to further improve our cultural cultivation and cultural quality, and to make our own preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. On November 11, 2005, the mascot of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was officially unveiled at the Beijing Workers' Stadium. The mascot consists of five anthropomorphic dolls, whose shapes are integrated with the images of the fish, the giant panda, the Tibetan antelope, the Beijing Swallow, and the Olympic Flame, collectively known as the "Fuwa", and called respectively Beibei", "Jingjing", "Huanhuan", "Yingying", "Nini". Nini", the pronunciation of these words to form a harmonic "Beijing welcomes you four. From the Olympic mascot perspective animal "image" language animal "image" language as a special language symbols, is a "image" as a metaphor to depict the characteristics of things, the nature of the law or abstract philosophy, for human thinking to provide a tangible, colored "image" to achieve the purpose of conveying information non-verbal means of communication. The interpretation of the communicative message conveyed by the mascot designed by using animal "image" is subject to the constraints of cognitive context, and has typical national character, with rich connotation and association meaning. The mascot of Shanghai World Expo 2010 is a blue child with upturned hair, round eyes and a smile, which is derived from the traditional Chinese character "人". The mascot is named "HAIBAO", meaning "Treasure of the Four Seas". This echoes the sea-like color of the child's body and is in line with the Chinese custom of naming children after the word "treasure". "Hai Bao" uses the Chinese character "人" as the core idea, reflecting the depth of traditional Chinese culture and the connotation of the "people-oriented" spirit of the times, which is a reflection of the economic, social and spiritual outlook of people in the past 30 years of China's reform and opening up. It is a vivid portrayal of the great changes in China's economy, society and people's spirit over the past 30 years of reform and opening up. The choice of "blue water" as the main form of "Haibao" not only shows the regional characteristics and natural beauty of Shanghai, the host of the World Expo, which is located near the river and the sea, but also is a symbol of openness and tolerance, showing China's new posture of integrating into the world and embracing the world. The blue color of "Haibao" also represents the earth, dream, ocean, life, future, science and technology, which is a deep fit with the theme of "Better City, Better Life" of the Shanghai World Expo. Hair: like rolling waves, it looks lively and fashionable, and points out the regional characteristics and life source of the mascot's birthplace. Smiley face: cartoonishly simple expression, friendly and full of confidence, demonstrating the positive, optimistic and healthy spirit of China. Body: The rounded body demonstrates the beautiful feeling of harmonious life, cute and playful. Big feet: standing firmly on the ground, becoming a strong support for the enthusiastic opening of arms, signaling China's ability and determination to organize the World Expo. Fist: Sticking up the thumb is a sign of approval and welcome to friends all over the world. Hands are stretched out to show tolerance and enthusiasm. Eyes: big, round eyes, full of anticipation for the city of the future.