李振陽
“一九二九不出手,三九四九冰上走,五九六九沿河看柳,七九河開,八九燕來,九九加一九耕牛遍地走。”
這首“數(shù)九”歌謠,在中國民間廣為流傳,描繪了從“窗含西嶺千秋雪,門泊東吳萬里船”到“碧玉妝成一樹高,萬條垂下綠絲絳”的景致變遷。在孩子們一聲聲的吟唱中,春天翩然而至。
2022年初的這個(gè)冬天,華夏大地上“數(shù)九”歌謠依舊唱響,大家卻多了一份新的期待。在北京這個(gè)奧林匹克歷史上的首個(gè)“雙奧之城”,無處不在的奧運(yùn)元素里,每個(gè)精心安放的細(xì)節(jié),都蘊(yùn)含著關(guān)于“更快、更高、更強(qiáng)——更團(tuán)結(jié)”的奧林匹克精神,以及傳承、包容、融合的東方情感。
傳情、達(dá)意,或外放或含蓄,中國傳統(tǒng)文學(xué)都是極佳的載體。在“詩”“詞”“歌”“賦”里,有中國人獨(dú)有的奧運(yùn)浪漫。
動(dòng)感之詩
還記得2008年北京奧運(yùn)會(huì)會(huì)徽“舞動(dòng)的北京”嗎?篆刻藝術(shù)將漢字獨(dú)有的魅力展現(xiàn)無遺。北京冬奧會(huì)和冬殘奧會(huì)體育圖標(biāo)再次選用了這種藝術(shù)形式,與“舞動(dòng)的北京”在理念上一脈相承。有所不同的是,這次的設(shè)計(jì)更偏重“漢印”的風(fēng)格。渾厚古樸、大氣持重,又不失靈動(dòng)多姿。
30個(gè)項(xiàng)目(包括24個(gè)北京冬奧會(huì)項(xiàng)目和6個(gè)北京冬殘奧會(huì)項(xiàng)目),30個(gè)“小紅人”在方寸之間舞動(dòng),人物線條蘊(yùn)含著中國傳統(tǒng)書法的筆意神韻,寓動(dòng)于靜,將冬奧會(huì)和冬殘奧會(huì)各個(gè)項(xiàng)目最精彩的瞬間定格。圖標(biāo)底色也是大家熟悉的“霞光紅”,是印泥的顏色,契合著印章文化,也象征著日出東方的熱情。
書法藝術(shù)的感染力,也在本屆冬奧會(huì)和冬殘奧會(huì)會(huì)徽的設(shè)計(jì)上得到彰顯。北京冬奧會(huì)會(huì)徽名為“冬夢(mèng)”,靈感來自漢字“冬”。會(huì)徽設(shè)計(jì)分上下兩部分,意象不同卻又完美融合。上半部分,是一位滑冰運(yùn)動(dòng)員正在冰面上極速前行,下半部分展現(xiàn)的是一位滑雪運(yùn)動(dòng)員破風(fēng)而動(dòng)的英姿。而北京冬殘奧會(huì)會(huì)徽則讓人感受到漢字“飛”的靈動(dòng)。圖形由漢字巧妙地幻化成一個(gè)向前滑行、沖向勝利的運(yùn)動(dòng)員,同時(shí)形象地表達(dá)了輪椅等冬殘奧會(huì)特殊運(yùn)動(dòng)器械的形態(tài)。
融合之詞
北京冬奧吉祥物“冰墩墩”和“雪容融”,大概是冬奧會(huì)期間除運(yùn)動(dòng)員外“出鏡率”最高的形象之一了?!氨斩铡笔且恢惶煺?、可愛的熊貓。冰,象征純潔、堅(jiān)強(qiáng),是冬奧會(huì)的特點(diǎn)。墩墩,意喻敦厚、健康、活潑、可愛,契合熊貓的整體形象,象征著冬奧會(huì)運(yùn)動(dòng)員強(qiáng)壯的身體、堅(jiān)韌的意志和鼓舞人心的奧林匹克精神。
中國國寶熊貓,在全球辨識(shí)度極高,其可愛、敦厚的形象也廣為全球年輕人接受。這無法不讓人想起2008年北京奧運(yùn)會(huì)吉祥物之一的福娃“晶晶”,以及1990年同樣是在北京舉辦的第11屆亞運(yùn)會(huì)吉祥物“盼盼”。從“盼盼”,到“晶晶”,再到“冰墩墩”,這是一段跨越30多年的時(shí)代交接,是幾代人的集體記憶,更向全世界展現(xiàn)了新時(shí)代中國一以貫之、昂揚(yáng)奮進(jìn)的精神風(fēng)貌。
冬殘奧會(huì)吉祥物“雪容融”,是個(gè)可愛的“燈籠寶寶”。本屆冬奧會(huì)恰逢新春佳節(jié),節(jié)慶意味濃厚的紅燈籠成了設(shè)計(jì)靈感來源。一種廣為流傳的說法是,燈籠在中國有兩千多年的歷史,元宵節(jié)打燈籠的習(xí)俗可以追溯到東漢時(shí)期。燈籠,代表著收獲、喜慶、溫暖和光明。“雪容融”頂部的如意造型象征吉祥幸福,和平鴿和天壇構(gòu)成的連續(xù)圖案,寓意著和平、友誼,裝飾圖案還融入了中國傳統(tǒng)剪紙藝術(shù),而臉上的雪塊代表著“瑞雪兆豐年”的寓意。
雪,象征著潔白、純潔,代表著冰雪運(yùn)動(dòng)。容,意為包容、寬容。融,意為融合、融洽?!把┤萑凇钡拿掷铮_放、交流的理念。通過冬奧會(huì),各個(gè)國家作為人類命運(yùn)共同體的組成部分,應(yīng)當(dāng)聯(lián)結(jié)得更為緊密,互知互通。唇齒相依、共存共生,這是“雪容融”中蘊(yùn)含的東方哲思。
“蒼璧禮天,黃琮禮地?!北緦枚瑠W會(huì)獎(jiǎng)牌的設(shè)計(jì)靈感,來源于玉琮和玉璧。以河南安陽殷墟婦好墓出土的五弦玉璧為視覺來源,參考廣州南越王墓同心圓玉璧等為靈感,將外圍圓環(huán),設(shè)計(jì)成五弦造型,弦紋之間做打凹處理,取自傳統(tǒng)五弦玉璧的意象,與2008年奧運(yùn)會(huì)獎(jiǎng)牌“金鑲玉”的玉璧形制獎(jiǎng)牌相呼應(yīng)。獎(jiǎng)牌正面有五環(huán),五環(huán)同心,同心歸圓,寓意“天地合 · 人心同”,并刻有祥云紋和冰雪紋,中心是奧林匹克五環(huán)標(biāo)志;背面中心刻有北京冬奧會(huì)會(huì)徽,四周環(huán)繞24個(gè)點(diǎn)及運(yùn)動(dòng)弧線,象征著北京冬奧會(huì)上運(yùn)動(dòng)員如群星璀璨,創(chuàng)造精彩。
冰與火之歌
2021年10月18日,北京冬奧會(huì)火種在奧林匹克運(yùn)動(dòng)的發(fā)祥地——希臘伯羅奔尼撒半島的古奧林匹亞采集成功。這一刻,冰與火相遇,在瑰麗的中華文化映襯下,演奏出華麗的樂章。
從希臘采集的火種,儲(chǔ)存在火種燈內(nèi),被精心護(hù)送至北京。本屆冬奧會(huì)火種燈通體“中國紅”,飛舞的絲帶環(huán)繞在頂部,象征著拼搏的奧運(yùn)激情?;鸱N燈的創(chuàng)意靈感,來自大名鼎鼎的西漢長信宮燈。“長信”,是指永恒的信念,寄寓著人們對(duì)光明和希望的追求。
長信宮燈出土于本屆冬奧會(huì)賽區(qū)之一的河北。它1968年從河北省保定市滿城的中山靖王劉勝之妻竇綰墓中出土,現(xiàn)收藏于河北博物院。作為漢諸侯王、后一級(jí)的大型崖洞墓,滿城漢墓的發(fā)掘創(chuàng)造了數(shù)項(xiàng)考古學(xué)之最,充分反映出西漢盛世時(shí)期的壯麗風(fēng)貌。
長信宮燈通體鎏金,燦爛而華麗,雖然漫長的歲月在燈的外表留下了斑斑銹跡,但仍體現(xiàn)出漢代鎏金工藝的高超水平。長信宮燈通高48厘米,整體造型為一名跪地持燈的漢代宮女形象。宮女左手執(zhí)燈,右臂高高舉起,寬大的袖管自然下垂,巧妙地形成了燈罩的頂部。長信宮燈最神奇之處,在于其精巧的導(dǎo)煙設(shè)計(jì)。在漢代,人們多用動(dòng)物油脂作為照明燃料,容易產(chǎn)生大量的灰燼。長信宮燈宮女銅像體內(nèi)中空,燃燒產(chǎn)生的灰塵可以通過宮女的右臂沉積在燈體內(nèi)部,不會(huì)大量散發(fā)到周圍空氣中。
古人的環(huán)保理念,在當(dāng)下得到了傳承。冬奧會(huì)火種臺(tái)采用無煙無毒的陶瓷涂料,燃料也選用清潔能源丙烷?;鸱N臺(tái)的設(shè)計(jì)理念,來源于古代傳統(tǒng)青銅禮器——尊,尊的著名文物有四羊方尊、婦好鴞尊等,表達(dá)了敬重、莊重之意。
承載本屆冬奧會(huì)最具“儀式感”環(huán)節(jié)的,非火炬莫屬?;鹁婷麨椤帮w揚(yáng)”,外形像一條飛舞的絲帶,旋轉(zhuǎn)上升,最后幻化為舞動(dòng)的火焰。外觀上,“飛揚(yáng)”與北京2008年奧運(yùn)會(huì)開幕式主火炬塔遙相呼應(yīng),體現(xiàn)了“雙奧之城”的傳承與發(fā)揚(yáng)。仔細(xì)觀察的話,冬奧會(huì)火炬還有令人驚喜的細(xì)節(jié)。下部所裝飾的,是寓意著吉祥的祥云,逐漸過渡到剪紙風(fēng)格的雪花圖案。從祥云到雪花,也是對(duì)2008年北京奧運(yùn)會(huì)的致敬。
榮耀之賦
建筑,是凝固的時(shí)間。本屆冬奧會(huì)12個(gè)競(jìng)賽場(chǎng)館,不僅是運(yùn)動(dòng)員爭金奪銀、加冕榮耀的圣地,更是中國的能工巧匠把奧運(yùn)華彩永遠(yuǎn)留住、寫給全世界的一封鋼筋混凝土的中式情書。
國家跳臺(tái)滑雪中心位于張家口賽區(qū),這是我國第一個(gè)跳臺(tái)滑雪場(chǎng)地,也是世界上首個(gè)在頂部出發(fā)區(qū)設(shè)置大型建筑物的跳臺(tái)滑雪場(chǎng)地。從空中俯瞰,跳臺(tái)線條和中國傳統(tǒng)吉祥配飾“如意”相吻合,因此這里有一個(gè)唯美的名字——“雪如意”。試想一下,運(yùn)動(dòng)員們從高臺(tái)下滑、加速,繼而騰空而起,在空中像鳥兒一樣自由。人類自古以來飛翔的夢(mèng)想,運(yùn)動(dòng)員們站到最高領(lǐng)獎(jiǎng)臺(tái)的夢(mèng)想,在這一刻同時(shí)實(shí)現(xiàn)。這正是——“如意,如意,隨我心意。”
在北京首鋼園區(qū)群明湖畔,四座巨大冷卻塔之前,有一座看起來像是敦煌壁畫“飛天”飄帶的建筑。這就是首鋼滑雪大跳臺(tái),也被稱為“雪飛天”。單板和自由式滑雪大跳臺(tái)項(xiàng)目的選手們?cè)谶@里駕馭冰雪,一飛沖天。
感受一下其他奧運(yùn)場(chǎng)館的中式浪漫之名:國家速滑館“冰絲帶”、國家體育館“冰之帆”、國家雪車雪橇中心“雪游龍”,“水立方”幻化成“冰立方”……
冬去春來,山花爛漫。這一場(chǎng)和冰雪的約會(huì)終有歸期,而與奧運(yùn)精神相融、難分你我的中國式浪漫,將隨著運(yùn)動(dòng)員、裁判員的親身體驗(yàn)走遍全世界,走向更久遠(yuǎn)的未來。正如本屆冬奧會(huì)主題口號(hào)說的那樣——
“一起向未來?!?/p>
“Together for a Shared Future. ”
Winter Olympics and Traditional Chinese Culture: A Romantic Date in the Cold Days
By Li Zhenyang
“In the first and second nine-day periods, please do not stick out your hands; in the third and fourth nine-day periods, people can walk on ice; in the fifth and sixth nine-day periods, willows along the banks are sprouting new leaves; in the seventh nine-day period, rivers are flowing; in the eighth nine-day period, swallows are returning; and nine days after the ninth nine-day period, cattle are walking all over the field.”
The ”Nines of Winter”, as the folk song is popularly known in China, refers to the nine nine-day periods starting on the Winter Solstice and describes the changes of landscape from winter to spring. While the ”Nines of Winter” is still being sung all over China in the winter of 2022, everyone is also looking forward to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, as Beijing became the first city ever to host both the Summer and Winter Games in the history of Olympics. In the “Dual Olympic City”, the Olympic spirit of “faster, higher, stronger — together” can be seen everywhere and in every carefully crafted detail.
Do you still remember “Dancing Beijing”, the official emblem of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? In the emblem, the unique charm of Chinese characters is on full display through the art of seal carving. For the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the art form has been adopted once again for the design of 30 sports pictograms.
Of the 30 pictograms, 24 identify each of the seven disciplines in the Winter Olympic Games (freestyle skiing and snowboarding have been assigned six and five icons each due to differences in the equipment and courses in these disciplines) and six identify the sports of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. In these pictograms, the 30 “l(fā)ittle red figures” dancing in the squares have incorporated the art of Chinese calligraphy, each sport freeze-framed at its most exciting moment. The combination of the red background, a commonly used color for the seal paste, and the white strokes highlights the grace and dynamism of winter sports, and shows the passion and enthusiasm for these sports.
The official emblem of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics embodies the beauty of calligraphy, too. Entitled “Winter Dream”, the emblem was inspired by冬, the Chinese character for “winter”, combining traditional and modern elements of Chinese culture. The design resembles a skater speeding forwarding at the top and a skier braving the wind at the bottom. In fact, the flowing ribbon-like motif of the emblem reminds people of the Chinese character 飛, or flying, and at the same time vividly depicts the forms of equipment of the Winter Paralympic sports, such as wheelchairs.
In addition to athletes, Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon, the two official mascots of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, are probably the most visible characters during the Games. Bing Dwen Dwen is an innocent and lovely panda. “Bing” here refers to “ice”, and it symbolizes purity and strength, while “Dwen Dwen” means robust and lively, and represents children. The mascot embodies the strength and willpower of athletes and helps promote the Olympic spirit.
As China’s national treasure, the panda is highly recognized around the globe and adored by young people everywhere. It brings to mind Fuwa Jingjing, one of the official mascots of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and Panpan, the official mascot of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. From Panpan to Jingjing and to Bing Dwen Dwen, they have been part of the collective memory of several generations spanning over three decades.
Shuey Rhon Rhon, the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, is a Chinese lantern child, inspired by the Lantern Festival which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The lantern signifies harvest, celebration, brightness and prosperity, and the overall design features elements from traditional Chinese paper cutting and Ruyi ornaments.
“Shuey”, which means snow in Chinese, represents pureness, while the first “Rhon” means inclusiveness and tolerance and the second “Rhon” means integration and harmoniousness. In full, the name of the mascot shows the desire to have greater inclusion for people with impairments throughout society, and more dialogue and understanding among different cultures.
The medals, named “Tong Xin”, meaning “together as one”, are composed of five rings and a center. The design has drawn inspiration from jade cong (tube) and jabe bi (disc), ancient Chinese jade ware. On the front are five concentric circles with the five rings engraved in the center, representing the Olympic spirit to bring people together and the splendor of the Olympic Winter Games being shared all over the world; patterns of lucky clouds, ice and snow are also engraved. On the back is the emblem of the Beijing Winter Games in the center, as well as 24 dots and a series of circles.
The Olympic flame for the Beijing Winter Games was lit on October 18, 2021 at the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, Greece, the site of the ancient Olympic Games. The flame, stored in a special lantern, was carefully flown to Beijing. In the color of “Chinese red”, the Olympic flame lantern is based on the Changxin Palace Lantern, dating back to the Western Han dynasty (206 BC- AD 25). The phrase “Changxin” means “eternal belief”, the embodiment of people’s pursuit of brightness and hope.
Collected at the Hebei Museum, the Changxin Palace Lantern is a bronze relic that was excavated from the tomb of Dou Wan, a Western Han noblewoman, in Mancheng county, Hebei province, in 1968. The Changxin Palace Lantern has a fine and ingenious design. With a height of 48 centimeters, it is shaped as a palace maid in her knees holding a lantern. Smoke from the candle within passes up through the figurine’s sleeves and on into the hollow body, and the holder below can store water, dissolving soot from the smoke. Indeed, the Olympic cauldron, based on ding, ancient Chinese vessels, also adopted environment-friendly materials and fuels.
The torch is the most ceremonial part of the Games. Named “Flying”, it resembles a flowing ribbon, spiraling up and turning into dancing flames. The design of the torch echoes the main cauldron design of the Beijing 2008 Games, which highlights the legacy of the Olympics in the Chinese capital.
Architecture is time that has been frozen. The 12 venues of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games are not only places for athletes to win medals and be crowned with glory, but also a “l(fā)ove letter” of steel and concrete from the Chinese craftsmen and masters to preserve the splendor of the Olympic Games for eternity.
Located in Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province, the co-host city of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, the National Ski Jumping Center is the first Olympic-standard alpine ski venue in China and the first permanent ski jumping course in the world. With the longest ski jump trail in the world, the “S-curved” design of the center has earned itself a nickname “Snow Ruyi”, thanks to its resemblance to the shape of a “Ruyi”, a traditional Chinese scepter symbolizing good luck. Just imagine athletes sliding down the high platform, accelerating and then soaring into the air, free as birds. Flying in the air has long been a dream of mankind since ancient times, and standing on the very top of the podium is undoubtedly the dream of every participant — both will be realized at the same time, just as the saying goes: “Ruyi, Ruyi, do as I please.”
In front of four giant cooling towers along the Qunming Lake in Beijing’s Shougang Industrial Park stands a structure that looks like a ribbon from the “Flying Apsaras” on the frescos of the Mogao Grottoes. This is the Shougang ski jumping platform, known as the Big Air, where athletes compete in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
Then there is the “Ice Ribbon” (Beijing National Speed Skating Oval), the “Ice Fan” (National Indoor Stadium), the “Flying Snow Dragon” (National Sliding Center) … all with a sense of literary beauty.
After winter comes spring. When the Beijing Winter Games come to an end as all parties do, the Chinese-style romance, inextricably linked with the Olympic spirit, will travel all over the world with the athletes, the referees and all the participants. Just as the official motto promises, “Together for a Shared Future.”