For the first time jade is used for the Beijing Olympic medals. The medals have been designed with inspiration coming from "bi", China's ancient jade piece inscribed with a dragon pattern. The medals symbolise nobility and virtue and are the embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honour, emitting a strong Chinese flavour.
Noble and elegant, the medals are a blending of traditional Chinese culture and Olympism. On their obverse side, the medals reflect the Greek character of the Olympic Games: the goddess of victory Nike pictured in the Panathinaikos Stadium. While on their reverse side, the medals are inlaid with jade with the emblem of the 2008 Games in Beijing engraved in the metal centrepiece. The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade "huang", a ceremonial jade piece decorated with a double dragon pattern and "Pu", the reed mat pattern.
Designer: Medal Design Group, China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Elena Votsi
Composition: 1st Place (Gold; Silver; Jade), 2nd Place (Silver; Jade), 3rd Place (Bronze; Jade)
Diameter: 70 mm
Mint: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corp
