2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony: Best moments from the event

Snowflakes representing all of the countries converged on the floor of the National Stadium, symbolizing the world coming together. 

The imagery was inspired by the uniqueness of each individual snowflake, as well as a Chinese poem that describes a snowy canopy at the center of a gathering. 

A stunning 3D display of the Northern Lights took over the arena, as dancers filled the stadium in the next portion of the creative performance.

After a short but colorful opening performance, some of the athletes from the participating Olympic teams marched into the "Bird's Nest" for the hourlong "Parade of Nations" segment of the ceremony.

The parade has been part of the opening ceremonies at the Games since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Traditionally, each team chooses just one flag-bearer for the parade. But starting last year at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, teams were encouraged to select both a male and female representative to carry their flag.

As with the opening ceremony of the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, all athletes marching in this "Parade of Nations" wore face masks to protect against COVID-19.

Teams entered the "Bird's Nest" in order by the number of strokes in the first character of their name in the Chinese writing system. However, the first team to enter is always Greece because that's where the ancient Games originated in 776 B.C.

And as the host of the next Winter Olympics in 2026, Italy's team was second-to-last to enter the stadium. The current host country, China, was last.

With Russia's team name, flag and national anthem once again banned from the Games over allegations of a state-backed doping program, the country's athletes marched into the stadium this year with the Olympic flag and under the name ROC, an acronym for Russian Olympic Committee.

It's the third time that Russia has not been able to use its own name, flag or anthem at the Olympics. Last summer, Russian athletes competed as part of the ROC at the Tokyo Games. During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Russia's team was branded as OAR, an acronym for Olympic Athletes from Russia.

Team USA was 56th to enter the stadium, with the second-largest delegation in U.S. history.

Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and curler John Shuster were named Team USA's flag-bearers. However, Meyers Taylors was unable to attend the opening ceremony because she tested positive for COVID-19. Speed skater Brittany Bowe marched in her place during the "Parade of Nations."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the dignitaries attending the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

He was seen at the National Stadium in the Chinese capital for the opening ceremony Friday.

Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Beijing earlier Friday, marking their first in-person meeting in more than two years.

The opening ceremony in the National Stadium kicked off with a countdown marking the celebration of the coming of spring. About 400 performers took to the stage waving giant LED sticks meant to represent a waving Spring willow tree.

On the floor of the arena, a cinematic light display played, with butterflies and dandelions welcoming the return of the season.

The nation's flag was then passed among performers to represent the diversity and acceptance of the country. The games arrive as criticism and protests against Chinese President Xi Jinping and his government's treatment of ethnic and religious minorities continue.

The move was followed by the national anthem. 

A striking 3D display of a rushing river, inspired by an ancient Chinese poem about the Yellow River lifted from the floor. 

On the river's surface, the past 23 Winter Games were listed and honored. The projection of the river fell and uncovered the Olympic rings, which set the stage for the Parade of Nations.