In the character setting of Ne Zha 2, Ao Bing is an animated character with a similar temperament to the Little White Dragon (Haku) in Spirited Away. However, both Nigihayami Kohakunushi (ニギハヤミコハクヌシ) and Ao Bing are water dragons. One of their outfits is white, and the other one… also seems to be white. But if you don’t take a closer look, you might really overlook a lot of details.

Ⅰ. Water Patterns

The clothes of Ao Bing feature water patterns to reflect his living environment. There are usually three shapes of such water patterns. The first one is the ripple pattern, which represents the natural flowing state of the sea waves and can also be called “water ripple pattern” or “flowing water pattern”. We can observe this from the patterns on this painted pottery urn with swirling patterns. It shows the primitive people’s worship of the water element in nature. Without water, there would be no life. The ancient people preferred to live near water sources. The people at the Majiayao cultural site were nurtured and sometimes troubled by the Yellow River, which made them feel awe towards water. On the left side are wave patterns, and on the right side are swirling patterns. In fact, these two patterns both reflect the ancestors’ contemplation of water.

The second type is the swirling pattern, that is, the whirlpool in the water. It is a circular or spiral water flow formed on the water surface at a certain point due to the influence of external forces. This kind of pattern is usually nearly circular, with a sharp corner serving as the inlet of the water flow, and the tail extending towards another whirlpool, forming a symmetrical and orderly shape. Interestingly, there are similar patterns on Ao Bing’s dragon horns, which seem to show the posture of the dragon horns swimming in the water. It can be said that the details are quite in place.

The body of Ao Bing’s garment features water ripple patterns that spread out horizontally, while the collar has swirling patterns that converge inward. The design elements balance each other out.

The third type is the wave pattern, which often appears in landscape paintings. It can make people feel the tranquility beneath the surface of the natural environment. The prototype of the wave pattern is the ocean waves. Ocean waves are large-scale moving water currents caused by the wind, with relatively large curves. It’s quite interesting to have this pattern incorporated in this place.

When designing the costume, we also took into account the combination of “meaning and form”. Externally, when Ao Bing moves, his sleeves flutter in the wind, and naturally, the shape of the sleeves takes on the form of ocean waves. Internally, it is only the patterns on the sleeves that present such wave patterns. It can be said that this is a rather ingenious design idea.

Ⅱ. Kui Dragon Patterns

The edges of the sleeves feature Kui dragon patterns (夔龙纹) to reflect his identity as a member of the dragon clan. The Kui dragon is a kind of dragon whose every movement creates a great commotion. According to ancient records, it is shaped like an ox and has only one leg. When it enters or exits the water, it is bound to bring about strong winds and heavy rains. Its skin can be used to make drums, and the sound from these drums can shake the heavens and the earth. This mysterious power makes people perceive that it is not only a symbol of strength but also a manifestation of the power of wisdom.

The Kui dragon pattern evolved from ancient dragon patterns. In terms of its form, it is close to that of a snake, and at the same time, its appearance contains many elements related to dragons. The characteristics of the Kui dragon pattern include a fish body, tiger claws, deer antlers, a dragon head, a side-facing profile, a large mouth, and one leg. Later generations often use the term “Kui dragon” to metaphorically refer to capable and loyal ministers who assist the ruler. Thus, the Kui dragon has become a representative of ultimate justice, wisdom, courage, and masculinity. It is a symbol of auspicious patterns essential for expanding territory and starting a great cause. It can be said that the implication of the Kui dragon pattern is extremely good. It is very suitable for Ao Bing, who strives to liberate his family and has his own sense of good and evil. The fact that his image attracts people to explore is also the result of the painstaking efforts of the production team of Ne Zha in shaping his character.

“Classic of Mountains and Seas – Da Huang Dong Jing (《山海经·大荒东经》)” records: “In the East China Sea, there is Liubo Mountain, which is seven thousand li into the sea. There is a beast on it. It looks like an ox, has a dark body without horns, and one leg. When it goes in and out of the water, there will surely be wind and rain. Its light is like the sun and the moon, and its sound is like thunder. Its name is Kui (夔). The Yellow Emperor (黄帝) obtained it and made a drum with its skin, and used the bones of the thunder beast as drumsticks. The sound can be heard five hundred li away, intimidating the whole world.” This is the origin of the Kui dragon pattern.

The belt of his everyday clothing also has Kui dragon patterns. The appearance of the Kui dragon can be summarized as “one horn, one leg, an open mouth, and a tail curling upwards”. The Kui dragon pattern has rich meanings. One interpretation is that it is used to pray for favorable weather, and another is that it can drive away evil spirits. It can be said that adorning with the Kui dragon pattern naturally reflects his “righteousness through and through”.

Ⅲ. Overall Color Scheme

In terms of the overall color scheme, it seems that only blue and white are used. However, upon closer inspection, you can see that his clothes are composed of blues of different shades. The innermost garment is the darkest blue, which is a deep cyan color (青冥色) similar to the color of the deep sky.

The color of the collar edge is slightly lighter, which is a kind of kneaded blue color (挼蓝).

The belt is an empty cyan color (空青色).

A bit lighter than that is the color described by Su Shi as “the first light of dawn in the east (东方既白)”, which is a very pale shade. These colors are all used to describe the colors of the sky and water, and they are extremely beautiful and ethereal.  

【 kneaded blue color】It’s just like the color of the freshly kneaded indigo juice,
With which I’d like to dye the silk skirt for you in your home.

【 deep cyan color】Above there is the boundless deep cyan sky,
Below there are the rippling waves of the clear green water.

【empty cyan color】Its color is cyan, and it is hollow sky,

Therefore, it is called “empty cyan”.

【the first light of dawn in the east】We lay on each other in the boat,
Unaware that the east has already turned pale with the coming of dawn.

Ao Bing is also quite fashionable. He wears a sleeveless small high-necked garment in empty cyan color as an inner layer, which just ensures that the overall color of the costume doesn’t look too flimsy.

Later, someone continued to describe this “the first light of dawn in the east” in their works. For example, Zhan Ruoshui (湛若水) in the Ming Dynasty wrote in “Inscribing on Wu Lang Kerong’s Literary Name ‘East is Turning Pale’ (《题吴郎克容东白号》)”: “When the east has already turned pale with the coming of dawn, the sleeping immortal just starts to frown less and look at ease.” It should be said that this describes the misty and flowing feeling in the details of Ao Bing’s costume.

Summary

Who would have thought that Ao Bing is only three years old, yet he is definitely among the top in popularity among the characters. His temperament is as gentle as jade, his disposition is calm and introverted. He is exceptionally talented and shoulders the mission of the dragon clan at a very young age. He is highly skilled in martial arts but never arrogant about his abilities. Although he has an adorable appearance, his combat power is off the charts. He is humble and polite to everyone, as charming as the gentle breeze and the bright moon. I hope that in the future, we can still see the meticulous efforts of the animation production team and that they can give Ao Bing and the other characters a happy ending.