Astana - Almaty 2011 — the 7th Asian Winter Games: Logo, Mascot & Medals

Logo:

The drawing of the logo resembles that of the wheel of a nomadic araba cart. In heraldic art a wheel is a symbol of eternal movement, both in space and time. Reflecting the idea of constant development, the logo symbolizes creative dynamism of life.

The symbolic of a wheel is affinal to that of a circle, and according to the ancient beliefs it expresses the idea of the God of the Sun revolving around the Earth.

Therefore, the logo is a solar sign and holds the radiant energy of the luminary that gives life and wellbeing.

The entire color combination (the contract of cold blue and warm red color) refers to the “excitive gamma” which increases the perception of dynamics and emotional uplift. The blue color symbolizes freedom and the space of endless opportunities, as well as concentration and purpose which are intrinsic to sport. The red color symbolizes indomitable aspiration to victory, passion and the fever of competition. The combination of these two colors carries the idea of union of ice and flame which reflect the spirit of the Asiad – the heat of emotions amid snow and ice. The red shining sun on top is the essential element of the emblem of all Olympic Asian Games.

Motto:

“Unity of Purpose – Unity of Spirit!”

This motto of the 7th Winter Asian Games symbolizes unity of the spirit of sporty Asia, single purpose in achieving unity and friendship among the nations and countries. This motto manifests that Kazakhstan remains faithful to the Olympic ideals.

Mascot:

Snow leopard - IRBY

1. In the modern world Snow leopard a long time ago was fixed as one of the main symbols of power and greatness of independent Kazakhstan. It is well known, that one of main purposes of mascot is to reflect the unique spirit of that place where games will take place.

2. Mascot is a part of general corporate identity of Asiad and it should fit into general context of all visual materials organically. So, it is difficult to find more suitable image, than a leopard with it's native elements - snow tops.

3. Mascot by all means should symbolize values of modern Olympic movement, and the snow leopard has all basic characteristics of true Olympian: strength, boldness, endurance and nobleness.

4. In the modern world sport mascot necessarily reflects traditions of people, their history and the important cultural codes. So, the leopard is a multiple-valued and rich symbol.

As you known, zoomorphic images functioned as means of modeling the world in culture of nomadic civilization. In mythological ideas of Scythians leopard was the defender of justice, "it as the supreme judge, observed the events from divine height". Also the leopard frequently represents itself as divine defender of arbor vitae, being, thus, a symbol of protection space order, the guarantor of stability of a universe, that is associated with the basic ideas of Olympic movement.

Etymology of name
The name mascot should be authentic to the character and it's cultural cods. And also should be easy and positively identified in trance - language interpretation. Besides, the name should have harmonious typographic structure as it is also a part of corporate identity of Asian Winter Games-2011.

One more important aspect of the name of mascot and artistic realization of it's appearance - onomastic and anatomic childish anthropomorphism (proportions of a body of the child, the big head, a smile, the humanized sight directed on the spectator, and a name sounding as a pet name of the kid). It helps to mascot rise sympathies of all types of an audience.

According to the foresaid tasks, the word "IRBYS" was accepted, as one of the most well known international names of a snow leopard. And then it was reduced up to a pet name IRBY - in Latin transcription IRBY.

The phonosemantic analysis determines the following main characteristics of name IRBY: good, cheerful, pure, courageous, bright, safe. All this associations in the best way help to create an interesting character, and also guarantee the positive attitude to it.

Characteristic
For courageous, dexterous and hardy IRBY snow - is native elements and sport - is a way of life. Strong, graceful, full of energy, it is very friendly and does not imagine the life without movement and communication.

Legend
Snow leopard by name IRBI lives in high mountains.

Nobody can compete with IRBI in dexterity, strength and endurance. Most of all IRBI likes to play: to play in snow, to jump on rocks, and always creates various entertainments, only not to sit on a place. But, unfortunately, on high mountain peaks there is nobody to play with- only shy argali, and proud eagles, but IRBI is very sociable and friendly. Once IRBI has heard that in the most important cities of its country - in Astana and Almaty - there is a great holiday under the name Winter Asian Olympic Games, on which will come the same courageous, strong and hardy people, as snow leopards from different countries.

"I shall find friends there", - was glad IRBI and began his journey...

Medals:

The winner medals of the 7th Winter Asian Games 2011 were designed and manufactured by the Kazakhstan Mint under the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The quality, design and weight of the medals have excelled all the awards in the history of the Asian Games. The medals were approved by the Olympic Council of Asia. There will be 69 medal sets in 11 sport disciplines.

Astana-Almaty2011.kz — the Official website