Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni

As the five Olympic rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the official mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace - and the goodwill of China -- To all children throughout the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals - fish, the panda, Tibetan antelope, swallow -- The Olympic flame.

Each Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name - a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together - Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni - they say "Welcome to Beijing", giving a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

Further info, click on Wikipedia-Olympic.