Beijing Launches 2023 Global Zodiac Design Competition

Chinese people have long used the twelve animals as auspicious symbols for each year in a twelve-year cycle to express hopes for a better future. The Chinese zodiac culture eventually developed. The Chinese zodiac is becoming more widely recognised as an iconic Chinese cultural emblem thanks to the growth of this folk ritual, which has led to other nations and areas issuing stamps to wish good fortune during the Chinese New Year.

The official opening of the 2023 Global Zodiac Design Competition (Guomao Year of the Rabbit) took place on July 29 in Yuanmingyuan Park in Beijing’s Haidian District. To increase global awareness of Chinese zodiac culture, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and Central Academy of Fine Arts jointly conduct the competition. To choose the subject imagery for the upcoming zodiac sign, this annual competition seeks out zodiac designs from both domestic and foreign sources. The competition injects life and visibility into the traditional zodiac via creative designing to promote cultural exchanges both domestically and internationally. Its goal is to increase the dissemination of Chinese zodiac culture and Chinese New Year culture.

The lunar calendar’s Year of the Rabbit, also known as Guimao, occurs in 2023. People all across the world are won over by the colourful and adorable appearance of the rabbit. The competition this time sets up a number of units, such as graphic design, merchandise design, and Yuanmingyuan-themed design, in accordance with its prior specifications and conditions. For detailed information and to register for the competition, participants can go to the competition’s official website. Early November 2022 will see the announcement of the competition’s results. The winning pieces will then be showcased through physical exhibitions, virtual exhibitions online, thematic activities, media promotion, and the sale of innovative items. The contest offers a glimpse into the traditional Chinese zodiac culture’s enduring and ever-evolving vitality, which also keeps pace with modern culture.

The legacy and innovation of Chinese zodiac culture were discussed at the launch ceremony by experts and academics from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, among other universities, well-known designers and representatives of the creative industries, and staff from the organisers. This activity is part of the ongoing Haidian Cultural Salon series. Li Xiangyang, the deputy director of the Beijing Haidian Yuanmingyuan Administration Office, served as the meeting’s chair. It was organised by Cao Jinsong, the director of the Beijing Haidian Cultural Development and Promotion Centre. Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchanges Centre, Central Academy of Fine Arts’ Collaborative Innovation Office, and Studies Centre for Yuanmingyuan are the organisers of the competition, with the Beijing Haidian District Cultural Development and Promotion Centre, Beijing Beforewind Brand Management Consultancy Co., Ltd., Beijing Haidian District Yuanmingyuan Administrative Office, and Beijing Beforewind Brand Management Consultancy Co.

Competition Timeline

Duration of Competition

July 29, 2022 – October 30, 2022 (Beijing Time)

Design Submission

July 29, 2022 – October 9, 2022 (Beijing Time)

Deadline for Submission

23:59, October 9, 2022 (Beijing Time)

Time for Online Evaluation

Early October, 2022

Time for Online Mid-term Evaluation

Late October, 2022

Final Offline Evaluation

End of October, 2022

Announcement of Award Winners

November, 2022

Registration