Why is the 2016 G20 Summit’s logo a bridge?

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With the 2016 G20 Summit right around the corner, its logo, featuring an outline of a bridge represented by 20 lines, has already left a deep impression thanks to its classic beauty and elegant design.

But with host city Hangzhou home to multiple landmarks and picturesque scenic spots such as the world renowned West Lake and Qiantang River, why was a bridge chosen as the logo? Does it take inspiration from a real life location? And what does the logo represent? Come and join CCTVNEWS to find out more.

The 2016 G20 Summit’s logo

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE LOGO?

The logo draws a lot of its inspiration from descriptions of Hangzhou in Italian merchant and explorer Marco Polo's Book of the Marvels of the World.

According to designer Fang Hongzhang, "in the book, Hangzhou was deemed as the 'City with Thousands of Bridges'," adding that the bridge has always been a symbol of Hangzhou, a city brimming with interconnected waterways thanks to its location at the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in the Yangtze River delta.

Fang Hongzhang (L) and Yuan Youmin (M), Sui Huanchen (R), three designers of the 2016 G20 Summit’s logo

Besides the profound cultural and historical links that Hangzhou has to bridges, the logo was also chosen as an image that showcases the spirit of the G20 Summit, as bridges are an obvious metaphor for connecting sides and facilitating communication.

The designer further noted that the bridge, together with its inverted image in the logo also brings to mind the Chinese philosophy of "Yin and Yang" and harmony.

WHAT DOES THE LOGO REPRESENT?

Photo from Internet

While the 20 lines of identical thickness that form the bridge in the logo represent the 20 member states attending the summit, the "0" in "G20", which doubles up as the bridge's arch and its reflection, can be seen as symbolic of "unity and integration" ,and calls to mind the spirit of round table meetings that will be taking place during the two-day summit.

Photo from Internet

"Appearing like optical fibers, the 20 lines also signify the interconnection of the world in an age of information" as well as representing the attending countries, Fang explained.

IS THE LOGO’S BRIDGE BASED ON A PLACE IN REAL LIFE?

"Instead of denoting a concrete bridge, it is relatively a symbol representing openness, communication and understanding between all countries," said Yuan Youmin, another designer, indicating that the logo was not based on a real bridge in Hangzhou.

Photo from Internet

WHAT ARE HANGZHOU’S MOST FAMOUS BRIDGES?

Home to two of China's World Heritage sites – the West Lake and the Grand Canal – Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province is full of fascinating landscapes and captivating vistas.

The city's bridges have added charm to the city since ancient times, and in today's Hangzhou they provide cosmopolitan glamour. Check out the pictures and take a glimpse at some of the most famous bridges in the city.

Duan Qiao (Broken Bridge), a world renowned scenic spot at West Lake

Chang Qiao across West Lake

Gongchen Qiao, the highest and longest stone arch bridge in Hangzhou

The Qiantang River Bridge, China's first self-developed road and railway bridge

Duan Qiao (Broken Bridge), a world renowned scenic spot at West Lake/Photo from Internet

Chang Qiao across West Lake/Photo from Internet

Gongchen Qiao, the highest and longest stone arch bridge in Hangzhou/Photo from Internet

The Qiantang River Bridge, China’s first self-developed road and railway bridge/Photo from Internet

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