Upside down magic is a fictional concept often found in fantasy literature and media. It refers to a type of magic that is unconventional or operates differently from traditional magic. In literature and movies, upside down magic is often used to create unexpected and unpredictable outcomes. One popular example of upside down magic is the concept of a magic spell or potion having the opposite effect of what was intended. For example, a spell meant to heal may instead cause harm or a potion meant to grant strength may result in weakness. This concept adds an element of surprise and unpredictability to the story, often leading to humorous or unexpected situations.
For the more open-minded, there are other options. The Beijing Olympic Committee designed a Paralympics mascot named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a dancing red lantern available in cute, stuffed animal form as well.
The bright colours of the halo around its face are a representation of the latest advanced technologies of the ice and snow sport tracks at the Games, while the heart on its left palm symbolises China s hospitality for athletes and spectators at the Winter Olympics. The Beijing Olympic Committee designed a Paralympics mascot named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a dancing red lantern available in cute, stuffed animal form as well.
This concept adds an element of surprise and unpredictability to the story, often leading to humorous or unexpected situations. In some stories, upside down magic is seen as a separate and unique type of magic that is misunderstood or seen as inferior by others. Characters who possess upside down magic may face discrimination or be seen as outcasts in their magical society.
A fluffy panda mascot is all the rage at the Winter Olympics
The mascot of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Bing Dwen Dwen, made his debut in 2019 at the Shougang Ice Hockey Arena in Beijing.
Xinyu Cui/Getty Images
BEIJING — One of the stars of this year's Winter Olympic Games is its mascot: a fluffy panda named Bing Dwen Dwen.
The stuffed animal version has become so sought after that people are camping overnight to buy it.
Outside one of Beijing's largest official Olympic merchandise store on a recent day, the line is long and growing longer — despite a loudspeaker blaring the same line over and over: All Bing Dwen Dwen stuffed animals have sold out for the day.
Li Zhaoyang's still on his Lunar New Year break from high school, and he says he joined the line just to get in on all the buzz around Bing Dwen Dwen. He wants to collect the panda mascot as an Olympics memento.
One small problem I tell him: Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out. Even the 500 pandas allotted for pre-sale orders have been nabbed by people who lined up outside the store the night before.
Even those customers aren't so lucky. They will only be able to pick up their orders during the last week of February, after the Olympics Games have ended.
Bing Dwen Dwen, or "ice chubster" as his name roughly translates to, has skyrocketed in popularity all of a sudden, in part due to scarcity. Factories churning out soft collectibles are limiting production. The shortage has fueled a kind of mindless mania on social media for all things Bing Dwen Dwen.
Outside the Olympics store, Rose Ling and her young daughter also say they are in line simply to see what all the fuss is about.
Staff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesStaff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
"The line was huge just a few minutes ago," she says. "It wrapped around the corner just a few minutes ago, so we jumped in only to find out Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out."
For the more open-minded, there are other options. The Beijing Olympic Committee designed a Paralympics mascot named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a dancing red lantern available in cute, stuffed animal form as well.
But no one seems very eager.
"Xue Rongrong is just too ugly," says Roger Li, who's come with his friend to see what other Olympics-themed tchotchkes they can buy given Bing Dwen Dwen is beyond their purchasing power.
Scalpers are selling the swaddled up panda for up to Rmb2000 (about $300) he says, but then catches himself: "Am I allowed to say that for broadcast? Do you need an answer that's more in line with Chinese socialist values?" he asks NPR.
By the time I got into the Olympic souvenir shop, only a few gold bracelets and pins were left. No Bing Dwen Dwen. I could, however, sign up for a new credit card to enter a lottery for a chance to win one of the coveted bears.
Aowen Cao contributed research from Beijing.
- winter olympics
But no one seems very eager.
However, these characters often learn to embrace and harness their unconventional powers, eventually proving that upside down magic has its own value and usefulness. The upside down magic trope can also be seen in the form of magical objects or locations that defy the laws of nature or logic. For example, a door that leads to a different dimension or a mirror that reflects the opposite of what is in front of it. These elements of upside down magic contribute to the fantasy and wonder of the story, creating an imaginative and captivating world for the audience or readers. Overall, upside down magic adds an interesting and unique twist to the world of fantasy and magic. It challenges traditional notions of magic and presents a new and unconventional way of looking at supernatural abilities. By introducing the concept of upside down magic, storytellers can create a sense of surprise, humor, and wonder in their narratives, keeping the audience engaged and entertained..
Reviews for "Mastering Upside Down Magic: Unleashing Your Inner Sorcerer"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Upside Down Magic". The concept of a magical school sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional, and the plot felt rushed and underdeveloped. I couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to any of them. Additionally, the writing style was juvenile and lacked sophistication. Overall, "Upside Down Magic" did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star - I found "Upside Down Magic" to be a complete waste of time. The story lacked depth and failed to engage me from the start. The magical elements were poorly explained and felt confusing. The characters were also uninteresting, and their motivations were unclear. The overall writing style was choppy and lacked finesse. I struggled to finish the book and can't see myself recommending it to anyone.
3. Emma - 2 stars - "Upside Down Magic" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on multiple levels. The world-building was weak, as there were many unanswered questions about how magic worked in this universe. The characters were forgettable and lacked any meaningful development. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to become invested in the story. I was hoping for a fun and magical adventure, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed by this book.
4. John - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Upside Down Magic," but it ultimately fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with some chapters dragging on while others felt rushed. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to relate to the characters. I also found the conflicts within the story to be predictable and lacking in depth. Overall, "Upside Down Magic" lacked the magic and charm I was expecting, resulting in a mediocre reading experience.