'Aoyu' leaps over the Dragon Gate: How translation bridges cultures

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Nov. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

On Nov. 9, a giant "Aoyu" (鳌鱼) lantern captivated global audiences as it floated above the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center during the opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou.

At that moment, the lantern's unique form and dazzling, high-tech visuals, which was even dubbed "cyberpunk" by some viewers, brought ancient Chinese folklore to life.

The Aoyu, which possesses the head of a dragon and the body of a fish, is a mythical creature from Chinese folklore. Legend states that carp, in their attempt to leap over the Dragon Gate to transform into dragons, swallowed a dragon pearl from the sea, which resulted in their transformation into the hybrid creature.

The Aoyu features in many traditional Chinese tales, such as "Du Zhan Ao Tou" (独占鳌头, standing alone above the Aoyu's head). "The head of the Aoyu" symbolizes achieving first place in examinations, representing excellence and leadership, while "carp leaping over the Dragon Gate" signifies pushing against one's limits, overcoming challenges and achieving a major transformation. While these are deep-rooted Chinese cultural concepts, their meanings are often obscure to international audiences.

The visual spectacle at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games was a practice in cultural translation. By creatively using art to express traditional ideas, it became a key force in revitalizing Chinese culture and building bridges between civilizations.

The lantern's creators transformed these abstract ideas into a giant, dynamic, visually impressive display, placing it within the context of a sporting event defined by struggle and glory. This, therefore, translated a shared value of striving for excellence. Technology and art thus served as a universal language, allowing people, regardless of their background, to understand and feel the core message of inspiration and determination.

In this case, interpretation did more than just carry on tradition; it offered a new access point to understanding Chinese culture. By creating an experience built on shared feeling, it inspired curiosity and motivated viewers to explore the stories behind the symbol.

When global media and netizens described the Aoyu using words like "breathtaking," "meaningful" and "magical," it demonstrated how effective cultural exchange unfolds through creative interpretation. The key is not merely transmitting information, but transforming specific cultural concepts into shared stories and experiences that truly resonate.

More than just a performance, the Aoyu served as a cultural ambassador, allowing global audiences to feel the charm of Chinese culture, and proving the power of creative cultural translation. 

Effective communication doesn't always need lengthy explanation. The essence of a culture can express itself wordlessly, allowing others to directly perceive and understand what we value.