Beijing 2008The Medals

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.

The winners’ medal is made of gold weighing not less than six grammes each. The medal for the runner-up is made of pure silver. 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. 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: 70mm

Mint: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corp