Sign language

The logo for the 2008 Olympic Games is a hot topic in China's cyberspace. The abstract sign has sparked cheers and jeers that give a glimpse of the collective consciousness in post-Sars Beijing. By coincidence, a conference celebrating the successful containment of Sars took place just days before the Olympic logo was unveiled. But that only served to remind people of the dark mood they had endured during the Sars scare, and which may have influenced their rather sombre impressions of the logo.

The winning entry, by Beijing-based design studio AICI, was selected from more than 2,000 submissions. It has been modified many times before finally being approved by officials. The creative process thus smacks of heavy pandering to the authority - which is the reason for most of the complaints.

State media dutifully gave the officially sanctioned interpretation of the logo, praising it in superlative terms. At first glance, it appears to be a stick-like running figure. The logo is shaped like the Chinese character 'jing', meaning 'Beijing', and resembles a traditional Chinese seal on a red background with the character in white.

Red, of course, is seen as a lucky colour, while the seal, with the English words 'Beijing 2008' in Chinese calligraphy right under it, is supposed to represent east and west, something old and something new, easy to understand - yet enigmatic.

The public, however, sees things differently. Many claim the image is oppressive and looks more like a man imprisoned in a narrow room, trying desperately to break out. Some interpret it as existential angst.

They point out that red also signifies violence, as denoted by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou in his movies. Some say it appears that the anaemic figure is soaked in a pool of blood.