Olympic 2008 Beijing Tours

The various flags, emblems, icons and signs which are used by the members of the international Olympic committee in order to promote the magnanimous Olympic Games are referred to as the Olympic Symbols. The Olympic Symbols have gained a world wide recognition and acceptance.

Olympic Symbols such as the Olympic flame, emblem, motto, anthem and flags are still imbedded in the minds of millions of people across the globe. Ask anyone what they remember about the Olympics and prompt would come the reply. The Olympic Symbols have such a far reaching effect in the minds of the viewers. The symbols have almost become synonymous with the event. One can hardly think of the event without the symbols.
The Emblem of the Olympic Games is beyond much speculation the most popular and recognized Olympic symbol. The Olympic Emblem is composed of five interlocking rings which are blue, yellow, black, green and red in color on a white backdrop.

The Olympic Emblem was originally designed in the year 1913 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The five different colored rings are meant to represent five different continents of the world. The two Americas were viewed as one continent and Antarctica was left out.

The Olympic Flag carries this emblem on a white background. The Olympic Flag is raised at the opening ceremony of each Olympic Games and are lowered during the closing ceremony. Special Olympic Flags are also placed in the various city halls of the places organizing the Olympic Games. The Olympic flag is also used during the oath taking ceremony.

The Olympic Anthem is another important Olympic Symbol. The Olympic Anthem is a musical piece composed by Spyros Samaras. The lyrics of the anthem have been taken from a poem by a Greek poet and writer called Kostis Palamas.

The Olympic Anthem is also formally referred to as the Olympic Hymn. It is interesting to note at this juncture that Demetrius Vikelas, who was the first president of the International Olympic Committee, selected the lyricist and the composer of the Olympic Anthem.

The kotinos is another popular Olympic Symbol. It is an olive branch intertwined to form a circle. In the ancient Olympic games the winner of all the events were crowned by a kotino.Later the kotino was replaced by gold, silver and bronze medals. At the Athens Olympics which were held in the year 2004, the kotinos tradition was revived. Although in the Athens Olympics, the winners were bestowed with the kotino and their medals. The kotino was also chosen as the 2004 summer Olympics emblem.

The Olympic flame is another great Olympic Symbol. It is passed through various participating countries before being taken back to the venue where the Olympics are to be held.For many decades the Olympic Symbols have continued to keep the spirit of Olympic burning in the hearts and minds of the million of people around the world.

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