Hey there!
Guess what? China has a brand-new mascot for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, and it’s super cool! Meet Si Shengsheng 🐍, a playful snake full of spirit and history.
What’s the Spring Festival Gala?
First, let’s chat about the Spring Festival Gala. It’s a big TV show in China that happens every year on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Think of it like a huge celebration with music, dancing, and fun performances that families watch together.
Say Hello to Si Shengsheng 🐍
This year, the theme is “Year of the Snake, Keep your Spirits Awake,” and Si Shengsheng is stealing the show! But Si Shengsheng isn’t just any snake; he’s special because his design comes straight from ancient Chinese culture.
Ancient Symbols Come to Life
Si Shengsheng’s look was inspired by the oracle bone script. 📜 Don’t know what that is? Let’s break it down!
Oracle bone script is one of the oldest forms of Chinese writing. Imagine ancient people carving words into turtle shells and ox bones over 3,000 years ago during the Shang Dynasty! They used these bones to ask questions about the future.
Mixing Old and New
The designers wanted Si Shengsheng to connect the past and the present. That’s why he has a fun, modern look with colors like teal-green, reminding people of beautiful jade stones.
The Lucky Symbol: Ruyi 🍀
Si Shengsheng’s design also includes the ruyi, a symbol of good luck. The ruyi looks like a fancy curved scepter (kind of like a royal wand) and has been a symbol of power and fortune in China for a long time.
If you look closely at Si Shengsheng’s rosy cheeks, you’ll see spiral patterns inspired by ancient ruyi designs found at the Famen Temple. This place is full of gold, silver, and treasures from over a thousand years ago!
Big Eyes from Ancient Art 👀
Have you noticed Si Shengsheng’s bright eyes? They’re inspired by cool bronze sculptures from the Sanxingdui archaeological site. These artifacts are from a mysterious ancient kingdom and feature creatures with big eyes, just like our new mascot!
Snakes in Chinese Culture 🐍
In China, snakes aren’t just slimy creatures; they’re important symbols. Long ago, people believed that the creators of humanity, Fuxi and Nuwa, had snake bodies! Snakes also share ties with dragons, which are super powerful in Chinese myths.
Keeping Traditions Alive
By bringing together these ancient symbols and stories, Si Shengsheng helps keep Chinese heritage alive in a fun way. It’s a reminder that history can be exciting and that old stories still matter today.
Join the Celebration!
So, as we welcome the Year of the Snake, Si Shengsheng invites everyone to celebrate with joy and curiosity. Who knows what other surprises the Spring Festival Gala will bring?
Happy Year of the Snake! 🐍🎉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
