From Concept to Creation: The Design Process of the 2018 Olympics Mascot

The 2018 Olympic Games held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, featured a mascot named Soohorang. Soohorang was selected as the official mascot for the games and represented the event with grace, agility, and charm. The white tiger was chosen as the inspiration for the mascot, as it holds great significance in Korean culture. Soohorang's design was based on the white tiger's physical characteristics, such as its sharp eyes, agile movements, and majestic appearance. The mascot's name, Soohorang, combines the Korean words "soo" (meaning protection) and "horang-i" (meaning tiger), symbolizing the protection of athletes, spectators, and host city during the games. Soohorang's presence during the event was ubiquitous, with images and merchandise featuring the mascot being displayed throughout the Olympic venues.

In the long-term, it will take much more than another Olympics to bring tigers back to the Korean peninsula. Experts say the best way to keep the Korean tigers alive is probably to focus on conserving the remaining estimated 450 Siberian tigers in Asia, especially Russia’s Far East. For now, however, as Soohorang is watched by Olympics fans around the globe, the tiger mascot may help his wild brethren — and, at the very least, he will add one more chapter to Korea’s centuries-long embrace of the tiger.

It is unclear when tigers disappeared from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, though one account describes the killing of the last Korean tiger in 1921 in the coastal city of Gyeongju, South Korea, The Seoul Times reported. White tigers are a variant of the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris , and their unusual coloring can be traced to a mutation in a single pigment gene.

Soohorang's presence during the event was ubiquitous, with images and merchandise featuring the mascot being displayed throughout the Olympic venues. The mascot was also integrated into various promotional activities and events leading up to the games to generate excitement and engagement among the public. The selection of Soohorang as the mascot for the 2018 Olympic Games was paired with a secondary mascot named Bandabi, who represented the Paralympic Games.

Meet the adorable 2018 Winter Olympics mascots that the internet is fawning over

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• Soohorang and Bandabi are serving as the mascots for this year’s 2018 Winter Games and Paralympic Games.
• The two animals are not only cute, they also both carry significant meanings in Korean culture.
• One resembles a white tiger, which is considered Korea's guardian animal.

At last, the 2018 Winter Olympics have begun. After months of preparation, including stocking up the Olympic Village and keeping an eye on the games' biggest competitors , the Pyeongchang Olympics are underway.

But not everyone has the time or motivation to keep up with the game schedule . But if there is one thing that everyone loves in large amounts, though, it's adorable animals. Luckily, the 2018 Winter Olympics has no shortage of those either.

The official mascots for this year's games are Soohorang and Bandabi, a white tiger and a black bear respectively.

The pair is significantly more cuddly than past Winter Olympics mascots, including Wenlock , a drop of steel, and Gliz , a piece of ice. There's also a meaningful significance to the two animals.

Soohorang is the official mascot for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

This mascot is derived from the appearance of the white tiger , which is considered a guardian animal in Korea. In general, tigers have held a revered spot in Korean culture for years, appearing in traditional art and folklore . They symbolize protection, passion, and trust.

Soohorang debuted in June 2016 and was designed by a group of Korean design professionals , who took inspiration from a past mascot named Hodori , another tiger who represented the country during the 1988 summer games in Seoul.

Soohorang's name is a combination of the word "sooho," which symbolizes protection of the athletes, and "rang," which comes from both the Korean word for tiger, as well as a traditional folk song from the Gangwon province, where the games are being held. As a character, Soohorang was created to embody that sense of protection for athletes, spectators, and all Olympic participants.

Bandabi is the official mascot for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.

Bandabi is a Asiatic black bear , which serves as a symbol for the Gangwon province, according to Paralympic.org . In Korean culture, the bear represents strong will and courage.

This bear also wears a hat, which many Americans might consider Santa-like. For many Koreans, Christmas and the holidays are celebrated and advertised beyond December, according to TronvigGroup.com , hence the festive hat.

Bandabi's name comes from the word "bandal," which means "half-moon," and references the traditional white crescent shape on the Asiatic Black Bear's chest. The "bi" at the end represents the celebration of the Olympic Games.

Bandabi was also introduced alongside Soohorang in June 2016.

"The mascots have been designed to embody the collective will of everyone for the successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2018, and experts of various fields contributed in the process," President of the PyeongChang Organising Committee Lee Hee-beom said at the time.

Since their debut, people have been loving these two furry creatures.

—Tim@ WaveRidin' (@T1mco) February 4, 2018

—sad lil optimist (@changSamchang) January 20, 2018

—나나리. (@littledragonka) February 7, 2018

—Les Shu (@DT_Les) January 28, 2018

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Soohorang the Tiger, an official mascot of the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, seen at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.

Bandabi was a white bear, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Both Soohorang and Bandabi played a significant role in promoting the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Overall, Soohorang and Bandabi added a touch of fun and excitement to the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. The mascots symbolized the vibrant and dynamic nature of the event while embodying the spirit of South Korean culture. Their presence helped create a memorable and enjoyable experience for athletes, spectators, and viewers worldwide..

Reviews for "Sochi the Squirrel: Connecting Cultures at the 2018 Olympics"

1. John - 2 stars

The 2018 Olympics mascot was a disappointment for me. I found it to be unoriginal and lacking in creativity. It appeared to be a generic cartoon character that could have been used for any event. I was hoping for a mascot that would represent the unique culture and spirit of the host country, but instead, we got a forgettable character that could easily be forgotten once the event is over. Overall, I was not impressed with the choice of mascot for the 2018 Olympics.

2. Sarah - 3 stars

I have mixed feelings about the 2018 Olympics mascot. While I appreciate the effort put into its design, I found it to be slightly confusing and hard to relate to. The mascot seemed to lack the charm and appeal that previous Olympic mascots have had. Additionally, I think the choice of a tiger as the mascot for a Winter Olympics is a bit odd. Tigers are not typically associated with winter sports, and it felt forced to me. Overall, I believe the 2018 Olympics mascot could have been better executed and more representative of the event it was meant to promote.

3. Mike - 2 stars

The 2018 Olympics mascot was a missed opportunity in my opinion. It failed to capture the excitement and energy of the games. The mascot appeared static and lacked personality. I was expecting something more dynamic and engaging that would resonate with both children and adults, but unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The design felt uninspired and forgettable. I believe the 2018 Olympics deserved a mascot that would be memorable and leave a lasting impression, but this one fell short.

Sochi the Squirrel: Inspiring the Next Generation of Athletes at the 2018 Olympics