A new exhibition at the Guangdong Museum reveals the historical inspiration behind the "Ao Fish" figure that captivated audiences during the opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games earlier this month. The creature's design draws from a 19th-century ceramic roof ornament displayed in "The Love and Memory of the Greater Bay Area," which opened on November 11 to coincide with the Games.
The Ao Fish appears on a Shiwan ware ridge tile crafted during the Guangxu reign (1875–1908) of the Qing Dynasty. Such ornaments, depicting mythical carp-shaped creatures believed to ward off evil, were common on traditional structures across the Lingnan region, including ancestral halls and temples.
The exhibition traces the evolution of the region's collective identity. More than 350 artifacts are organized into two sections. It displays natural specimens and historical objects—such as pressed blooms of the kapok, bauhinia, and lotus, each representing a part of the region—to highlight shared natural and cultural roots.
Some items, including vintage travel permits, are used to chart the growing connections, from cross-border water supply projects to sporting collaborations that paved the way for the first jointly hosted National Games.
The exhibition concludes by connecting the historical narrative to the present, framing the National Games as a new chapter in regional cooperation.
Duration: November 11, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Venue: Special Exhibition Hall, 3rd Floor, Guangdong Museum
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
