In modern China, an increasing number of names are inspired by Chinese history and classics. From high-tech products to newborn babies, names offer a window into the country’s rich cultural heritage and ongoing development.

To unravel the charm behind these names, Global Times launches a trilogy of Chinese calling cards. In Part 1, we delve into the space romance of China’s aerospace program.

China’s first Mars rover “Zhulong” Photo: VCG

On the dusty plains of Mars, a rover named after the ancient fire god Zhurong is rewriting the planet’s history. In January, by studying detection data collected by the rover, Chinese geologists discovered that the surface of Mars still showed significant water activity about 750 million years ago, proving that water existed on the surface of Mars hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought.

What makes this scientific breakthrough even more exciting for many is how “Zhurong”, named after the Chinese god who brought the gift of fire to humanity, is now exploring the world known as “Mars” or “Star of Fire” in Chinese.

Some Chinese netizens commented on social media that sending a probe named after the god of fire to the burning planet is a kind of “Chinese romance.”

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the name “Zhurong” was chosen for its symbolic weight. “It embodies the spark of interplanetary exploration and guiding humanity’s continuous quest to surpass itself.”

Zhurong is not an isolated case. Over the past few decades, China has built a consistent and culturally rich naming system for its space exploration. These names are derived from a rigorous, systematic, and highly meaningful naming mechanism, most of which follow a process similar to that used for Mars rovers, while others are specified directly by project leaders through discussion.

From the Chang’e (Chinese Moon Goddess) probe exploring the moon’s surface to Zhongrong roaming Mars, from the Earth-orbiting Tiangong (Tiangong) space station to the Sun-chasing Xihe (Chinese Sun Goddess) satellite, these oriental names have woven a cosmic story where mythology meets modern science, turning “Chinese names” into cultural symbols that transcend national borders.

Hu Yu, director of the Institute of Cultural Creation at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that these names create a symbolic system that connects ancient myths and modern technology.

“In traditional Chinese cosmology, the heavens were an orderly realm of gods. By ‘inviting’ these mythical figures into space with new scientific missions, China is expressing cultural confidence,” he said.

mythology, poetry, philosophy

The foundation for this naming system was laid in the early 2000s. When China launched its lunar exploration program in 2004, it was officially named the Chang’e mission.

Zheng Changling, a researcher at the China Academy of Arts, told the Global Times that the practice reflects the continuity of Chinese civilization.

“China’s ritual civilization is deeply rooted in our collective experience and forms a worldview that transcends generations,” he said, adding that it is a natural extension of cultural tradition in the context of modern science.

“Our cross-border research shows that overseas audiences with basic knowledge of Chinese culture can fully understand the civilizational meaning,” Zheng said.

In 1993, when the CNSA called for names for a manned spacecraft, “Shenzhou” (Shenzhou) won out of thousands of suggestions.

From the first flight of Shenzhou 1 in 1999 to the orbital mission of Shenzhou 23 in 2026, these names have witnessed China’s space travel from childhood to adulthood.

The new-generation manned spacecraft Mengzhou (Dream Ship) echoes the Tang Dynasty (618-907) Li Bai’s line, “Sail toward the sun like a wise man in a dream.” The upcoming lunar lander, Lanyue (Seize the Moon), will make China’s poetic yearning to “pluck the stars with your own hands” a reality as it lands astronauts on the moon by 2030.

Associate Professor Zhu Xinhua of the Department of History at Capital Normal University told the Global Times that China’s space program has established a symbol system that integrates Eastern culture and philosophical thinking.

This system is based on the diverse and deep roots of China’s traditional heritage, including ancient mythological lore, classical poetic imagery, and early religious thought.

“At its core, it reflects the traditional Chinese understanding of space and the relationship between humanity and space,” Zhu said.

popularization of science

Zhu compared Chinese and Western naming logics, noting that Western missions often honor individual scientists or constellations. This practice derives from the individualistic tradition and post-industrial revolution empirical scientific culture.

Chinese names emphasize historical continuity and collective cultural memory, and exhibit unique aesthetic and spiritual aspects.

Zhu said there are commonalities between Eastern and Western naming philosophies. For example, the US Apollo moon landing program derives its name from the Greek sun god.

However, China’s space naming could become more extensive and systematic. For example, the lunar exploration program is named the moon goddess Chang’e, and the lunar rover is called the Jade Rabbit and the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), forming a more coherent narrative framework.

At one of the Xinhua bookstores in Beijing, near the Second Research Institute of the China Aerospace Science Industry Corporation, manager Dong Han told the Global Times that space-themed books and cultural products are particularly popular among young readers.

“The Shenzhou series continues to be a consistent bestseller for both books and model kits, backed by its strong brand recognition,” she told the Global Times.

As China enters the “Year of High-Density Missions” with four missions planned for 2026, including Tianzhou 10, Shenzhou 22 and Mengzhou 1, the country’s space program continues to carry its cultural heritage into space.

“China’s space naming system is a model of creative transformation of traditional culture. It injects humanistic warmth into major scientific projects and provides an exciting path to tell China’s story to the world,” Hu summed up.