The 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.1

On Friday February 4th 2022 (4/2/22) the 2022 Winter Olympics formally opened in Beijing, China. 

This came just 180 days after the official close of the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics. Held in Tokyo, Japan.

Or just 152 days. In you believe in parity between the Olympics and Para-Olympics.

As is International Olympic Committee (IOC) Protocol. The games began with an Opening Ceremony.

The purpose of the Opening Ceremony is to set the agenda for the games. Start the conversations that unfold throughout. In the form of laboured sporting metaphors.

Opening Video Countdown.

It is a tradition, rather than a rule. That each Olympic/Para-Olympic Ceremony begins with a 10-1 countdown. The Zero, the Cipher, being the start of the ceremony.

This is due to the fact that the Olympic/Para-Olympic ceremonies are broadcast, live, globally. By many different broadcasters in many different countries.

The countdown allows them to coordinate their coverage. So they switch from their broadcast feed to the Olympic/Para-Olympic feed at the right time.

Obviously since this was a rule. Broadcast technology has advanced massively. 

This switching between feeds is now completely automated, done by computer. Making the countdown completely redundant.

So in recent years there has been a lot of debate. Over whether the ceremonies still need a countdown. Or whether to keep it as something of a tribute to history.

Japan, as possibly the most technologically advanced nation on Earth. Began their Olympic Opening Ceremony by appearing to take the sensational decision to do away with the countdown.

Instead they began with an Opening Animation. Followed by an Opening Video. 

Then they did do an Opening Countdown, from 21-0. Reflecting the year's delay. But only after the Opening Ceremony had been underway for about five minutes.

While the 2022 Winter games pick up chronologically from the 2020 Summer games. Officially they pick up the baton from the 2018 Winter games. Held in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (RoK/South).

Those 2018 Winter games marked the start of a, really, decade long stay for the Olympics/Para-Olympics in Asia. 

So the South Korean hosts took the opportunity to introduce us to, not just, parts of their country and culture. But also things that are common throughout Asia.

Chiefly the South Koreans introduced us to the Wu Xing. 

The five essential elements or forces that make up everything in the Universe. If the Wu Xing is not kept in balance then bad things, like sickness, start to happen.

In referencing the Wu Xing South Korea were slightly mocking China.

Although Koreans, along with many other people in Asia, believe in the Wu Xing. They believe in it symbolically. Rather than something which has any tangible, practical application.

The Chinese take the Wu Xing much more seriously. Continuing to use is as a basis for science and medicine. What is known as; "Traditional Chinese Medicine."

Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of China's big Soft Power tools. One of its main cultural exports, alongside food.

I seem to spend an inordiante amount of my life. Reading about Chinese government built Traditional Chinese Medicine centres being opened. In countries you've probably never even heard of.

So South Korea did seem to be trying to ever so slightly taking the shine off a big element of Chinese foreign policy.

In beginning their Opening Ceremony China built on the ideas of both Japan and South Korea. 

Starting with a partially animated Opening Video. Which was also an Opening Countdown.

However this countdown ran from 24-1. 

In reference to the 24 Solar cycles that make up part of the Traditional Chinese Calendar. Sometimes known as the Farming or Agricultural calendar.

The first calendar used in Asia was the Wu Xing. The belief was that the seasons were the different elements or forces at work. Dividing the 365 day year into five months of 72 days.

Around the 7th Century BC the Chinese began to realise that the position of the Sun played a role in the changing seasons. 

However not only didn't they know the Earth orbits the Sun. They actually thought there were 10 different Suns. Which was still more advanced than European thinking on the matter at the time.

This realisation led to the development of the; "Four-Quarters Calendar."

With a week being made up of the 10 days on which each of the Suns would appear. A month was made up 3 cycles of the 10 Suns appearing. So 30 days.

A year was 12 of these 30 day months. With a leap-month being added in the summer. To get the calendar to match the position of the Suns.

Around the 5th Century BC the Chinese began to realise that the Moon also played a role in the changing seasons. A role which helped them overcome the problem of the Four-Quarters Calendar not really adding up.

This is known as a Lunisolar Calendar. 

In which the year is measured by the position of the Sun relative to other celestial bodies, its' "Phases." While the months are measured by the phases of the Moon. 

Much like farmers. Lunisolar calendars don't really have a concept of weeks. Let alone weekends.

The first Chinese Lunisolar calendar is known as the; "Zhou Calendar." Having been introduced by the Zhou Dynasty.

*As we have just learned during the 2020 Summer Olympics. Japan went through an era known as the; "Warring States" or; "Sengoku" Period. 1467 AD to 1614 AD.

It is not at all lazy. To compare Japan's Warring States Period to the TV show; "Game of Thrones."

In the sense they had a single Emperor/King. Who was nominally in charge of the entire country. However each region was controlled by Warlords (Daimyo) and Shoguns. 

These Daimyo and Shoguns would declare themselves Emperors of the regions under their control. Sort of the; "King of the North" or; "King of the Blackwater." 

They spent nearly 150 years fighting with each other and the actual Emperor. Until the country was united under the Tokugawa Shogunate. Marking the start of Japan's much cherished; "Edo Period." 1615 to 1868.

The name given to Japan's "Warring States" Period seems to be inspired by a similar, but much earlier era of Chinese history. 

China's own; "Warring States" or; "Zhango Shindai" lasted between 481 BC to 221 BC.

However comparing China's Warring States Period to Game of Thrones. That would be very lazy. 

Back in the 4th Century BC the concept of a Nation State didn't really exist as it does today. It certainly wasn't dependent on recognition by and membership of the United Nations (UN).

However the broad geographic area which is now considered China was home to, really, 100 different nations. All with their own distinct ethnicity, language, culture and geographic climate.

By the start of the Warring States period these 100 nations had come together to form 7 main nations;

Qin: This was located in the far west. What is now considered the Provinces of Qin and Guanzhong.

Chu: This was located in the south. Around the Han River and the Yangtze River. What is now considered the Provinces of Hubei and Hunan.

The Three Jins: This was located on the central Shanxi Plateau. What is now considered the Provinces of Shanxi, Shannaxi, Gansu and Ningxia. Along with parts of Hubei and Hunan Provinces.

As the names suggests. The Three Jins are themselves divided into three parts; Han, Wei and Zhao. It was really the breaking up of the territory of Jin that started the Warring States Period.

Qi: This was located to the north. Primarily on the Shandong Peninsula. What is now considered Shandong Province.

Yan: This was located to the north-east. Primarily the area around what is now considered Beijing. Where the 2022 games are being held.

Everything to the north-east of Yan. The modern Provinces of Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Jilin and Heilong. 

They were all considered part of Korea. The disunited Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Those 7 main nations were accompanied by a multitude of smaller nations. With The Royal Territory, Yue (Shanghai), Zongshan and Sichuan being amongst the larger.

The Zhao Dynasty which introduced the first Lunisolar calendar. Actually only controlled The Royal Territory. Not even being big enough to be considered one of the; "Seven Warring States."

All these nations spent around 200 years fighting with each other. 

In order to establish their own identities during the Warring States Period. Each of the 7 main nations introduced their own Lunisolar calendar. Collectively these are known as the; "Seven Ancient Calendars."

The Warring States Period was also a boom time for advances in military technology and strategy. It was when Sun Tzu published his famous; "The Art Of War."

It is also when Wu Qi published; "Wuzi." Sima Ranju published; "The Methods of the Shima." "Wei Liaozi" by an unknown author was published.

Along with; "Six Secret Teachings" by Jiang Ziya. "Three Strategies of Huang Shigong" by Huang Shigong. "Questions and Replies Between Tang Taizong and Li Weigong. Which were all published later.

Those four books published during the Warring States Period are considered the bulk of the; "Seven Military Classics." 

Eventually the nation of Qin was able to conquer all the others. Ending the Warring States Period and establishing the Qin Dynasty. The first of China's Imperial Dynasties.

It was the Qin Dynasty that began work on what would become; "The Great Wall of China." Which is actually an interconnected network of defensive walls. Stretching across much of northern China.

It is Qin Shi Huang, The First Qin Emperor who was buried with the 8,000 strong Terracotta Army. Made up of battalions of soldiers, bureaucrats, musicians, strongmen and acrobats.

With which to conquer, administer and entertain Naraka. The dimension of the dead, the afterlife.

The Opening Countdown Video took us through each of the 24 Solar phases. 

This was important because the Opening Ceremony had long been scheduled to take place of February 4th.

In the Traditional Chinese Calendar February 4th is New Year's Day. The Asian Animist equivalent of Christmas Day or Eid-Fitr. The biggest celebration of the year.

Although it didn't explain what a Lunisolar calendar is. The video began by clearly explaining that it would be taking us through the 24 Solar phases. As that day is Chinese New Year's Day.

It did this with just really clear words onscreen. In both English (Latin/Roman) characters and Chinese characters.

The video then continued these very clear onscreen graphics. 

Giving the number of the Solar phase in Arabic/English numerals. Along with the name of the phase in both English (Latin/Roman) and Chinese characters.

Within the Olympics/Para-Olympics all the sports are denoted by a Pictogram. A little picture representing the sport.

This tradition began at the 1964 Summer games. Held in Tokyo, Japan. 

The purpose was to help foreigners navigate their way around. Amid Japan's incredibly elaborate Pictographic language.

Something which Japan explained during their 2020 Opening Ceremony. In a section I entitled; "Pictogram Round"

While waiting for the US/UK to get their act together. To allow Miley Cyrus and I to talk to each other directly, online.

I used the opportunity of the 2020 games. Through to the Great American Bell Ringing of October 2021. To teach my paywall readers more about Japan's pictographic language. 

This included the System of Kanji Indexing by Pattern (SKIP). Which is one method the Japanese language uses as an alternative to an alphabet.

I think I really peaked on the day of the Para-Olympic Opening Ceremony. Which I marked by simply yelling;

"MALE GENDER PRONOUN (3-6-3)."

"EXCLAMATION POINT (3-6-3)."

Now I cannot read or write in Japanese at all. 

I am simply vaguely aware of something you need to have expert knowledge in. Before even attempting to learn to read and write in Japanese.

That was really the point I was trying to make;

Written Japanese is so complicated. Just knowing that tiny little bit. Still managed to make me look like the most intelligent person in all of the western world.

Far more intelligent than the US/UK intelligence services.

Not knowing Japanese I certainly don't know Chinese. 

However of the 2,800 characters which make up written Japanese. 1,945 of them are also used in Chinese. Joyo Kanji. 

Although, just to confuse matters further. They don't all have the same meaning in the two languages.

One of such symbol is; "Ma (3-3-8)." Which does have the same meaning in both Japanese and Chinese. It actually means; "Vacancy" or; "Void." 

It is often used to refer to subtext. The implication. The notes-between-the-notes. The lines-between-the-lines.

However it is also used to describe Marijuana. The symbol itself is almost a cloud of smoke resting or blanketing some trees.

A seemingly ancient understanding of the effect of that particular plant.

So the Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, founder of the Alibaba Group. Is literally named; "Jack Vacancy." Or; "Marijuna Jack."

So I guess I do know a little bit of Chinese. 

As does my former lesbian best friend. We both extensively studied ma before becoming part of the World Famous Thrupple™.

This video continued the theme of trying to teach written Chinese/Japanese to English speakers/readers.

From the way the English words were laid alongside the Chinese characters. It was easy to begin to see which character corresponded with which word. 

Particularly on some of the shorter ones. 

Such as 23 "Rain Water" which is represented by just two Chinese characters. Making it is easy to start to work out which character means "Rain." Which character means; "Water."

It also gave China a fantastic opportunity to troll the US/UK intelligence services. Over the Great American Bell Ringing of October 2021.

At around 19:00 on 6/2/22 (UK date) I shall continue this tomorrow.

Edited at around 19:10 on 8/2/22 (UK date) to tidy the above, fill the placeholder* and copy & paste;

The video itself showed seasonally appropriate scenes of China. 

So 23 Rain Water (Yu Shui) showed rain. 4 Great Snow (Da Xue) showed snow covered plains. 10 Great Heat (Da Shu) showed vast expanses of sandy desert.

This was to highlight the geographic vastness and diversity of China.

So in the south-west. The Chinese side of Mount Everest (Qomolangma) is remarkably similar to the Nepalese side of that snow covered mountain.

In the north China has the Gobi Desert. The sixth largest and fourth largest sand desert in the World. After the Sahara (Greatest Desert), Great Australian and Arabian Deserts.

It is actually the Himalayan Mountain Range at China's south-west. Which causes the Gobi Desert at China's north. It prevents rain clouds formed over the Indian Ocean from reaching in-land.

To the south where China borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). You have lush tropical jungle.

In the east and to the centre. Places like Beijing, where the games are being held. You have the sub-tropical climate which makes up most of the northern hemisphere. 

It is not the region of China. That is traditionally big on winter sports.

Whenever western powers try to contain China. Particularly under the US' former Biden regime's "Pivot Towards the Pacific."  

They try to whip China's neighbours up into a hysterical frenzy. Talking about China's territorial ambitions and desire to establish an Empire. 

Prompting China to sigh, roll its eyes and go;

"We're already an Empire."

"If anything. We've got too much country."

The seasonally appropriate scenes of China. Were interspersed by scenes of the Olympic sports. Presumably being done by Chinese people. 

Getting Chinese people interested in Winter Olympic sports. Is supposed to be a big part of the; "legacy" of these games.

The video though was mainly trying to show the contrast between ancient and modern. 

So there were lots of shots of The Great Wall of China and ancient archietecture. Interspersed with shots of modern apartments and snowboarders in a modern restaurant.

Food also played a large part in the video. With expertly parcelled dumplings being balanced on a Ski. There was also what looked to be a food fight in a Chinese restaurant.

Really China's main cultural export. What westerners describe simply as; "Chinese Food" is another good way to discuss the vast cultural diversity of China.

What westerners pile on their plates at all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets. Is actually from a wide variety of Chinese regions, culinary, cultural and ethnic traditions.

The sort of thing that no Chinese person would ever dream of eating at the same time.

Although, interestingly. With Chinese food having been exported to the west. The very gluttonous western interpretation of Chinese food is now starting to be exported back to China.

I gather that there have been some complaints about the food being served to Olympians. At the Olympic Village in Beijing.

Things like the portion sizes being too small. The food being served cold.

When I'm sure everybody knows. In the context of a Chinese menu. It is; "Sichuan" which means; "Hot as all hell."

Just as I sure we all know. You don't have to order the entire menu.

Although. Much like Olympians and combat infantry divisions. It turns out, actually I do.

At around 19:45 on 8/2/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. Having made myself hungry. 

Edited at around 17:50 on 9/2/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

I particularly noticed the video at 10 Great Heat (Da Shu). 

In part this is because that is where the Countdown would traditionally begin. So what had been a leisurely pace up until then. Suddenly started to intensify.

That is certainly one argument for keeping the Countdown as part of the ceremonies. It helps to build excitement.

Mainly though it is because the video showed very young Chinese children. Presumably aged 10 years and younger. Being trained to become Olympic Speed-Skaters.

This was a reference to the Chinese government's General Administration of Sport of China (Guojia Tiyu Zongju). Tasked with finding young athletes and training them to become Olympians. 

Operating under the principle of; "Gold At Any Cost." The Chinese program has developed a reputation for brutality.

As I seem to mention every time there is an Olympics. 

Around the age of 10 I was something of a promising swimmer. Winning against 13 and 14 year olds. At the admittedly small, not particularly competitive county level.

Even so. If this had been in China then it is likely my parents would have been approached by someone from the Chinese Communist Party. 

Who would suggest that I be sent away to a special boarding school. In order to mould me into an Olympic champion. 

A school which might be on the complete other side of the vast country. Meaning I would only see my parents a couple of times a year.

At that school I could expect long, long hours of intense physical training. Alongside physical abuse like beatings and psychological bullying. 

None of which would allow time for a normal education. Reading, Writing and Maths etc.

When I developed an allergy to Chlorine. I would then be dumped out of the school with no real prospects. What with no-one having taught me how to read, write of count.

Parents are encouraged, almost bribed, to send their children to such schools. With scholarships and stipends along with the promise of a good career in their child's future. 

However that encouragement does also carry a subtext or ma of threat to it. 

It would be unpatriotic to deny the nation the success of sporting glory. Unpatriotic people are not popular with the all powerful Chinese Communist Party.

Obviously I don't approve of the Chinese system. I don't really approve of the Olympics at all. Steeped as it is in Nazi and Fascist values.

However it seems to me. That the Chinese system only differs from the US system in degree. Not in mentality.

Under the US system parents are encouraged in almost exactly the same way. 

With the promise of sporting scholarships to prestigious universities. Which are seen as being the route to a successful career. 

With the Olympics moving ever further away from its amateur roots. With things like commercial endorsement deals. Being a sports star is viewed as a successful career in its own right.

The only difference is the absence of the subtext of threat. Although it can be quite threatening to imply someone's child is going to grow up to be a failure.

As we learned from the Larry Nassar scandal, which led to USA Gymnastics being dissolved. Along with many other similar scandals. Such as Jerry Sandusky at Penn State.

The US system also seems to be very enthusiastic for abusing young athletes. Particularly sexually.

Obviously China didn't have to put something that it is often criticised for. Right at the start of their Opening Ceremony.

So I think the China were trying to acknowledge that they've got a problem. While inviting others to admit that they might also have a problem.

In order to start a wider discussion. About how to go about solving the problem.

Interestingly the children weren't actually shown Speed-Skating. 

Instead one child was shown holding a Speed-Skater pose. For what the scene implied had been an agonisingly long time.

The 2020 Summer Olympics included the Japanese Martial Art of Karate. This is divided into two disciplines. Kumite and Kata.

Kumite (Meeting of Hands) is the fighting element of Karate. While Kata is considered the artform of Karate.

The only opponent the competitor faces is themselves. As the work through the precise movements and poses used in Karate.

China's main Martial Art is; "Wushu" or "Kung Fu." 

Made famous by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and all those; "Shaolin Kung Fu" movies. So beloved by the US rap group the; "Wu Tang Clan." Who are big supporters of the Nation of Islam (NoI) cult.

Wushu also has the Kata element. In which practitioners are expected to work through more than twenty set poses. Holding them for an agonising, muscle burning length of time. Sometimes many hours.

However in Wushu this artform element is known as; "Shu." As in; "Shoe. While Kata is pronounced the same as; "Qatar."

Meaning that all the discussions about Kata that took place during the 2020 Summer games. Are continuing here in the 2022 Winter games. Even if they look slightly different.

One of the big, recurring themes of the 2020 Summer games was the ever increasing pace of modern life. How this has led to something of a backlash.

Including western interest in the quasi-Meditation practice of; "Mindfulness." Being totally present in the moment.

That meditative quality is exactly why practitioners of Wushu and Karate do Kata/Shu. It forces you to concentrate of really every fibre of every muscle. The ultimate in being totally present in the moment.

As this child held his Speed-Skating Kata pose amid the Great Heat. He was absolutely dripping with sweat.

Making it almost seems as if he was performing Hot Yoga.

Rather like Kata practicing Japanese and Chinese people. Yoga practicing Hindus are unlikely to be mystified by this current western trend for Mindfulness.

As was discussed extensively at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. As was discussed extensively at the 2020 Summer games.

The US' Big Bold Move of 2021 was to hijack my relationship with Miley Cyrus.

In no small part this was particularly aimed against China.

However the US did seem to believe it was this one thing that would make all their dreams come true. 

Help them secure all of their objectives. From the Iran negotiations to the withdrawal from Afghanistan and beyond.

Apparently putting around the rumour that Miley Cyrus may be bisexual. Along with the fact that Miley Cyrus menstruates.

Would so shock the World. That it would fall from its axis. Prostrating itself at the feet of its new Messiah, Joe Biden.

Bisexual people are equally attracted to people of both genders. However due to societal pressures they're often forced to choose just one person.

Just as China seems to have been forced to choose here. Between doing an Opening Countdown, an Opening Video or an Opening Animation.

That, of course, is not how I approached the issue. During my time in the World Famous Thrupple™.

As my lesbian best friend and I would sit around, studying ma. Occasionally we would have to nudge the other one and say;

"Hurry up and get off the sofa. My girlfriend is on her way over."

When we eventually worked it out. That our respective girlfriends were, in fact, the same person. We sort of decided;

"Shall we both just stay on the sofa?"

Meaning our girlfriend was not forced to choose.

Just as China was not forced to choose here. 

It got to do an Opening Countdown, an Opening Video and an Opening Animation. Another famous Thrupple.

Making the point to the US.

My time as part of the World Famous Thrupple has been a significant part of who I am. Throughout my twenty year, global career.

So anyone who is going to be shocked by that sort of thing. Has been shocked by it and gotten over it. A long time ago.

If you can remember that far back. The 2014 Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia. There a lot of fun was had with the term; "Troika." Russian for; "Threesome."

Particularly the Equestrian Troikas. Which used to pull sleds as part of the Imperial Russian Postal Service. Before the Industrial Revolution replaced them with trains.

In human females menstruation is often said to be a; "Monthly" cycle.

In reality it is a 28 day cycle. Depending on the individual and their individual circumstances. So a woman would typically menstruate 12 or 13 times in a single year.

Just as how the Four-Corners Calendar may have 12 or 13 months in a single year. Just as how the Traditional Chinese Calendar may have 12 or 13 months in single year.

All making the point to the US. 

That 24 Solar cycles are central to the calendar which is so important within Chinese culture. So it is highly unlikely they would be unable to cope with Miley Cyrus' 12 cycles.

In fact that was China's big breakout star at the 2016 Summer games.

The swimmer Fu Yuanhui. Who seemed unable to stop talking about how she was menstruating in the pool. 

 

To be continued in Part 2.

18:45 on 9/2/22 (UK date).