1️⃣ Exhibit Name
Mascot Dance Call Sign (Taiwan)
A sign showing the team mascot’s name with an arrow pointing up, asking the mascot to start a dance routine between innings.
2️⃣ Collection & Image
Figure 1. Mascot Dance Call Sign – Camera Photo Style
A fan holding a sign with the mascot’s name (e.g., “大聖” – Great Sage) and an upward arrow, pointing toward the field.
3️⃣ Gallery Location
Fan Culture Wing › Signs Hall › Taiwan Gallery
4️⃣ Exhibit Background**
The Mascot Dance Call Sign is a playful, uniquely Taiwanese fan sign used to request a mascot’s between‑innings dance performance. CPBL mascots (e.g., 大聖 for Uni‑Lions, Monkey for Rakuten Monkeys, Frankie for Fubon Guardians) perform choreographed dances on the dugout or field during breaks. Fans hold up signs showing the mascot’s name and a large upward arrow to encourage the mascot to dance. The tradition began in the 2010s as mascots gained celebrity status. The sign is often decorated with dance‑related stickers (music notes, disco balls) and is waved vigorously to catch the mascot’s attention.
5️⃣ Period & Location
- Period: 2010s – present
- Location: Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) stadiums, especially during weekday games when fan energy needs a boost.
6️⃣ Material & Dimensions
- Material: Cardboard, foam board, plastic sheet – often with glitter and bright colors
- Dimensions: Typically 12″ × 18″ (30 cm × 45 cm)
- Lettering: Bold Chinese characters (mascot’s name) and a thick upward arrow, often in team colors.
Figure 2 – Mascot Dance Call Sign – Pop Art Style
A vibrant pop‑art rendering of the sign, with bold colors, halftone dots, and comic‑style dance symbols.
7️⃣ Narrative Story
The Rise of Mascot Celebrity
In the 2010s, CPBL mascots became social media stars. Rakuten Monkeys’ Monkey has over 100,000 Instagram followers. Fans began requesting dances during between‑inning breaks. The first “dance call” sign appeared in 2014: a fan wrote “猿氣小子跳舞” (Monkey boy, dance!) with an upward arrow. The mascot noticed, danced, and the tradition was born.
The Arrow as Command
The upward arrow is crucial – it points from the stands toward the field, as if pulling the mascot upward to dance. Some signs have multiple arrows or a flashing LED arrow for night games. The sign is often passed to the fan closest to the mascot’s position.
The “Great Sage” of Uni‑Lions
The Uni‑Lions’ mascot 大聖 (Great Sage) – a monkey character inspired by Sun Wukong – is especially responsive to dance call signs. During the 2021 season, fans held up a giant “大聖” sign with a neon arrow. The mascot performed a breakdance routine, and the video went viral on TikTok. The sign now resides in the team’s fan museum.
Mascot Dance‑Offs
During inter‑team games, mascots compete in dance battles. Fans bring signs for both mascots, holding one up then the other. The “Mascot Dance Call Sign” has become a tool for friendly competition between cheering sections.
Think About It
- Why do fans use an arrow pointing upward? What does the direction signify?
- How does the mascot dance call sign differ from other fan signs that celebrate players or cheerleaders?
- What does the mascot’s willingness to respond to the sign tell us about the relationship between fans, mascots, and entertainment in CPBL?
Figure 3. Mascot Dance Call Sign – Clay Sculpture Style
A hand‑modeled clay sculpture of the sign, with soft, organic edges, visible fingerprints, and painted details, giving a playful, tactile quality that mirrors the lighthearted nature of the mascot’s dance.
8️⃣ Current Status & Applications
- Status: The mascot dance call sign appears at every CPBL game, especially during “Mascot Day” promotions.
- Applications: Teams have sold official mascot dance call signs as fan giveaways. Fans also use digital arrows on tablets.
- Suggested companion exhibits: Display alongside Cheerleader Name Board and Player Caricature LED Sign.
9️⃣ Significance & Educational Value
- Significance: The sign represents the lighthearted, interactive side of Taiwanese baseball – fans directing entertainment, not just reacting to it.
- Educational value: Encourages visitors to think about the role of mascots in modern sports and how fans co‑create the game’s atmosphere.
🔟 References
- Mascot mania in CPBL. Taiwan Baseball Culture Journal, 2019.
- “Great Sage” dance viral video. United Daily News, 2021.
- Mascot dance call tradition. Rakuten Monkeys official fan magazine, 2020.
- Between‑inning entertainment in Taiwan. China Times, 2018.