Webmaster: To be honest, I prefer “Progress” because its unique shape possesses a geometric beauty. The cylindrical body, which is thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom (though the very bottom is not the thinnest part), embodies the beauty of curves; I can even feel the vastness of the universe from it. Its color scheme blends seamlessly with the torch body, giving a fresh and enterprising feeling. However, who will ultimately win will be revealed in October!
The torch image is an important symbol of an Asian Games and a significant reflection of the hosting philosophy and the spirit of the host city. Since the launch of the torch design solicitation in January 2009, the Asian Games Organizing Committee invited several elite teams with extensive design and R&D experience to participate. After repeated research and review, two torches were finally selected as candidate images: “The Tide” and “Progress”.
In order to encourage more people to pay attention to and participate in the Asian Games torch relay, to help the public better understand the knowledge and stories related to the Asian Games torch, and to bring more joy to the public’s cultural life through the torch relay activities, the Organizing Committee has decided to launch the “My Favorite Asian Games Torch” online voting activity. The voting period is from September 21 to October 10, 2009. During this period, netizens can log on to the official website of the 16th Asian Games, click on the torch image voting section, browse the text, images, and video introductions of the two candidate torch designs, and vote for their favorite torch design after registering (Voting page URL: http://www.gz2010.cn/torch, effective September 21). The Organizing Committee will use the voting results as an important reference, combined with expert review opinions, to finally determine the torch image.
The “The Tide” torch integrates the harmony of water and the passion of fire. The overall shape of the torch is upright yet dynamic. The hollowed-out part absorbs the exquisite and transparent artistic characteristics of Guangzhou ivory carving; its shape is like rising, elegant flames, highlighting movement and passion. The solid part resembles the endless flow of water, symbolizing the Lingnan cultural spirit of inclusiveness and constant innovation. The spiral-divergent burner symbolizes the spread of the Asian Games spirit. The inner and outer double-layer structure enriches the modeling layers, adding mystery and solemnity. The exterior adopts the unique red of the Kapok flower (the city flower of Guangzhou), reflecting the power and passion of life; the interior adopts the golden yellow of rice ears, symbolizing the host city “Sui City” (the City of Rice Ears). The overall style of the torch design is highly unified with the emblem and sports icons of this Asian Games.
The design of the “Progress” torch originates from the emblem and core graphics of this Asian Games. The color scheme uses orange, one of the main colors of this Asian Games, echoing the Five-Goat emblem. The torch consists of two parts: a rising and dynamic silver-white outer shell wrapping an orange inner core. The orange lines gradually unfold from bottom to top, from thin to thick, symbolizing the Pearl River gradually extending to the sea, from the inland to the ocean and even to the world. It highlights the “Lingnan Spirit” of the Guangdong people—inclusiveness, pragmatism, innovation, and striving for progress. It also signifies that the Asian Games requires not only the expression of blooming passion and the pursuit of tenacious struggle but also the tolerance of seeking common ground while reserving differences.