This year, the CS2 Major will take place in China, where 24 teams will compete for the title of the strongest team in the second half of 2024. Shanghai, the heart of Far Eastern business, is the third most populous metropolis in the world. While embracing modern technologies and a fast-paced lifestyle, China preserves and honors its traditions, setting an example for the world.

The culture of the old world was built not on communication, as it is today, but on sources of knowledge—books, archives, teachings, diaries, letters, and more. We’ve tried to view the largest Counter-Strike 2 esports tournament in the vast and futuristic Shanghai through the lens of comparison, delving into the world of Eastern mythology.

The Jade Emperor and Twelve Teams

There is a myth that over two thousand years ago lived the Jade Emperor—one of humanity's earliest depictions of a deity. He strived to lead a just and benevolent life from a young age, helping those in need. One day, he decided he needed protection from evil forces and looked to earthly creatures—the animals. He announced a race among all the animals on Earth, declaring that the first 12 to finish would become sacred and receive the Celestial Radiance of the Universe, granting them immense power to stand against malevolent forces.

Thus, the twelve animals took their place in the Lunar Calendar, and to this day, people refer to them. Each year is represented by a specific sign—one of the twelve animals. Wich team is wich sign?

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FaZe Clan is a legendary team in CS:GO and now CS2, known for their adaptability, clutch plays, and explosive performances. They won the Intel Grand Slam in 2023 and remain a top-tier contender despite ups and downs in form. FaZe resembles the Rat's cleverness, quick thinking, and adaptability. Like the Rat’s ability to seize opportunities, FaZe thrives in chaotic rounds and clutch situations, often outsmarting opponents with innovative strategies and resilience under pressure. Their resourcefulness mirrors the Rat's survival instincts, making them a dangerous and unpredictable force.

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Complexity, like the Ox, is known for its hardworking nature and perseverance. Though they face ups and downs in tournaments, their consistency and effort to improve reflect the Bull's slow yet steady pace. The Ox represents strong, dependable teamwork. Similarly, Complexity relies on its collective strength rather than individual brilliance, often surprising opponents with well-coordinated plays.

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Like the Tiger, Vitality dominates with aggressive and confident gameplay. Their star-studded roster and decisive strategies exude a fearless nature, often overwhelming opponents with their relentless energy. Tigers are natural leaders, commanding attention and respect. Similarly, Vitality’s roster boasts standout players like Zywoo, whose individual brilliance drives the team and inspires awe within the CS:GO scene.

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Like the Rabbit’s swift movements, Team Liquid excels in tactical, fast-paced gameplay. They often rely on sharp decision-making and quick reactions to secure rounds, especially in clutch situations. Rabbits are resourceful and flexible, adjusting to their environment with ease. Team Liquid demonstrates this by evolving through player changes and adapting to new metas, maintaining competitive relevance despite setbacks.

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The Dragon is a symbol of strength and grandeur, much like Na'Vi's commanding presence in Counter-Strike, they have recently been on a remarkable win streak, culminating in their impressive victory at the CS2 Major 2024. Their gameplay reflects confidence and sheer force. Dragons captivate with their presence, just as Na'Vi draws attention as one of the most iconic teams in CS history. With players like s1mple, they've defined an era of skill and showmanship.

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Heroic’s ability to react swiftly and decisively in chaotic scenarios reflects the Snake's innate survival instincts, making them unpredictable and formidable in the competitive scene. Snakes are known for their intelligence and calculated moves, much like Heroic's reliance on methodical gameplay and strong tactical cohesion in matches. The Heroic team has faced some notable struggles recently, especially when it comes to adjusting to roster changes and team dynamics, many people are scared of the Snake sign which might be a good reference to people who are scared to predict victory for Heroic.

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The Horse is an animal symbolizing freedom, ambition, and leadership, traits that are also strongly associated with G2 Esports—they are that team who were real competitors for NaVi and had won in finals, for example of BLAST tournament. As one of the most successful and well-known esports organizations, G2 has shown leadership both in their regional leagues and on the global stage, often leading the charge in tournaments and setting trends for others to follow.

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Passion UA, much like the Goat, has demonstrated a quiet yet determined approach to success, often overcoming tough odds in competitive play. While not always in the limelight, the team is resilient and fights through adversity, showing persistence to continue improving despite setbacks.

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In esports, MIBR has shown agility in their gameplay. Their players are quick to adapt to shifting strategies during matches and can react rapidly to unexpected plays from opponents. The team's ability to switch up their tactics mid-game and surprise their adversaries mirrors the Monkey's nimbleness and adaptability.

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Fnatic, as an esports organization, is known for its disciplined approach to training, preparation, and gameplay. The team’s history is rich with carefully crafted strategies and a commitment to excellence. Their attention to detail in gameplay and match preparation is a key component of their success, much like the Rooster’s meticulous nature.

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3DMax, compared to the Dog in the Chinese Zodiac, reflects qualities of loyalty, perseverance, and adaptability. Historically, 3DMax has had an up-and-down journey in competitive esports, with several notable rosters and changes over the years. Their performance has been steady but not always top-tier, often falling short in major tournaments but remaining a consistent presence. Just like the Dog in the zodiac, which is known for its protective and determined nature, 3DMax has demonstrated a resilient spirit, working hard and showing commitment despite challenges.

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The Pig's methodical approach aligns with MOUZ's focus on building a strong, structured roster. While the Pig is often seen as lucky and successful through perseverance, MOUZ similarly demonstrates a steady climb toward greater success, with the goal of achieving major victories on the global stage. The youth spirit that impress drive into the action as a rich of a Pig sign.

The Jade Rabbit

So Shanghai it's an Emperor who organized the competitive games between the twelve animals—teams! But let’s dive into one interesting myth about the Hou Yi and Jade Rabbit.

Hou Yi saved the earth from destruction when ten solar orbs were threatening it. He shot down nine, leaving one for the balance of nature and humanity. The goddess rewarded him with an elixir of immortality, which he entrusted to his beloved, Chang’e, for safekeeping.

Feng Meng, Hou Yi’s disciple, attempted to steal the elixir and attacked Chang’e. Realizing she might lose in a duel with the stronger foe, she drank the elixir, gaining eternal life. However, she flew up to the stars and settled on the moon. The Jade Rabbit, a symbol of assistance, lives beside her and serves her among the stars. During the New Year celebrations, when the moon is at its fullest, one can spot Chang’e there.

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NaVi, like the ancient hero Hou Yi, has inspired many teams with their victories. Passion UA represents Hou Yi's beloved, Chang’e, as all of its players are from Ukraine, the birthplace of NaVi. This new team gained significant strength from inspiration and managed to defeat a seemingly stronger opponent, Astralis. Their coach, Mikhail “kAnE” Blagin, who previously trained NaVi, symbolizes the immense support that Passion UA will need in this tournament. He is a Jade Rabbit for the young powerful team.

Nüwa9

Nüwa (traditional Chinese: 女媧, simplified Chinese: 女娲, pinyin: Nǚwā), also known as Nügua, is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology. She is depicted as an ancient female deity with the body of a woman and the lower body of a snake. In the myth, Nüwa is revered as the "Empress Wa" (媧皇), and she is considered one of the most important figures in early Chinese beliefs. Nüwa is primarily known for her role in creating humanity, as well as repairing the heavens after they were damaged, restoring balance to the world.

Cloud9, as an esports organization, has had a storied history in various games, including Counter-Strike, with a reputation for innovation and success. Much like the goddess Nuwa, who is revered as a creator and nurturer of life, Cloud9 is seen as a pivotal force in the esports scene, nurturing talent and crafting teams capable of achieving great heights. Just as Nuwa created humans from clay, carefully molding them with skill and precision, Cloud9 has fostered its esports athletes, helping them grow and refine their abilities to compete at the highest level. Furthermore, Nuwa's legacy of ensuring the prosperity of her creations parallels Cloud9’s continued rise, cementing its place as one of the most valued and successful esports organizations, constantly reshaping and rebuilding its team for success What is the worth of Stewie2k, whose career was not believed by close friends, life circumstances were not conducive to e-sports, but he realized himself despite all the troubles. He won the ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 in the Cloud9 composition.

Team Yin

Team Liquid can be compared to the mythological character Guan Yin from East Asian mythology. Guan Yin (观音) is the Goddess of Mercy and a symbol of compassion, strength, and protection. Known for her ability to overcome hardship and adversity, she is revered for her calm determination in the face of challenges.

Why this comparison works: Like Team Liquid, Guan Yin’s journey is marked by both calmness in approach and resilience in the face of difficult odds. Team Liquid, especially in high-pressure tournaments like Majors, exhibits a similar blend of strategy, adaptability, and perseverance. Their consistent success, overcoming setbacks and adapting to ever-changing competition, mirrors the patience and strength Guan Yin represents.

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While Guan Yin's mythological role involves the protection and salvation of others, Team Liquid, through their tactical expertise and team synergy, provides "protection" in terms of their ability to safeguard their strategies and execute under intense pressure. This can be seen in their victories and consistent high-level performance in CS2, where they work seamlessly together as a team to achieve success in even the most difficult matchups, much like the grace under pressure attributed to Guan Yin.

Both figures — the goddess and the esports team — exemplify grace under pressure and determination as their defining qualities.

Who is a Dragon in this tournament?

Upper, we compared NaVi with the Dragon sign in the lunar calendar, representing a legendary, self-sufficient hero from Eastern myths. The Dragon symbolizes luck, energy, and power. In ancient China, it was believed that emperors would transform into dragons after death because their divine grandeur could not perish. So who is the Emperor of this tournament?

For NaVi, luck is what they need to claim victory in the Perfect World Shanghai Major, where they will face formidable opponents. Energy and strength are key characteristics that continue to define Vitality, potentially aiding their path to victory. Meanwhile, G2 Esports, with their leadership luck and cohesive team play, has the potential to dominate the tournament.

The tournament is about to kick off, with the first round of matches at the Perfect World Shanghai Major starting on November 30th. Let's see the Dragon in the Shanghai sky!