Dolphins or chickens? National Games mascots Xiyangyang, Lerongrong spark strange debate
Social media users are ignoring their original inspiration, Chinese white dolphins, and calling them ‘Greater Bay chicken’ instead
A bizarre debate on Chinese social media has put the two National Games mascots – with their enthusiastic, somewhat chaotic viral dance movements – in the spotlight: are they dolphins or are they chickens?
Officially named Xiyangyang and Lerongrong – meaning “joy and happiness” – the mascots have become internet sensations, thanks to their cuteness and childlike, energetic characteristics, as performed by teenagers and young adults.
The duo were originally inspired by the Chinese white dolphins, a resident species of the Pearl River Estuary known as the “giant panda of the sea”.
The mascots signify China’s commitment to ecology and the unity of the three regions – Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau – that are co-hosting the National Games, according to an interview with lead designer Liu Pingyun by the Xinhua News Agency.
Liu explained that the colour white reflected the dolphins’ natural hue, while the pink appearance was the result of blood flushing to the skin when the dolphin was active.
However, social media users quickly disregarded the original inspiration, affectionately nicknaming them the “Greater Bay chicken”. They dubbed the pink mascot the “soy sauce chicken” and the white one the “boiled sliced chicken”.