The pictograms are an important aspect of the exploitation of the basic image and look of the Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games .They clearly convey the substance and character of the sports, and therefore play a crucial role in facilitating each sport's recognition and publicity.

The designing of the pictograms of the Beijing Paralympic Games began in May 2006 and underwent three phases of research and planning. The designs were finally completed in November 2006.

On November 7, 2006, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) held its 145th business meeting to discuss and ultimately approve the design scheme for the pictograms of the Paralympic Games. On December 7, 2006, the Executive Board of BOCOG held its 74th meeting, where it reviewed and approved the design scheme for the pictograms. The very next day, BOCOG presented the IPC as well as International Organizations of Sports for the Disabled (IOSDs). On February 8, 2007, the IOSDs reviewed and approved the designs of the pictograms. On April 30, 2007, IPC informed BOCOG of its approval of the pictogram design scheme for the Paralympic Games.

There is a pictogram for each of the 20 sports that comprise the Beijing Paralympic Games. They are: archery, athletics, cycling, equestrian, football 7-a-Side, judo, rowing, swimming, table tennis, boccia, football 5-a-Side, goalball, powerlifting, shooting, volleyball sitting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, and sailing.

The pictogram design criteria require distinct designs that accurately represent the various sports while reflecting the Olympic spirit, Chinese cultural elements, as well as the concepts of the Beijing Paralympic Games. The designs must be an integral part of the defined visual image of the Beijing Paralympic Games. Also, the designs should be suitable for TV broadcast, the Internet, print, showcase material and other forms of media.

The designs of the pictograms are based on the unique character of each sport of the Paralympic Games, yet they also draw on the success of past Paralympic Games, with special consideration for the limited time available for the transition from the Beijing Olympic Games to Paralympic Games. With a goal of maintaining continuity in image and design style, the pictograms of the Beijing Paralympic Games adopt the same originality of concept and style as the pictograms of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Of the 20 pictograms, 12 are completely new designs representing equestrian, boccia, archery, football 5-a-Side, goalball, powerlifting, shooting, volleyball sitting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis. Two of the pictograms are modified designs of the respective Olympic Game pictograms for football 7-a-side and cycling. The remaining six pictograms are taken directly from the existing Olympic Games' pictograms for athletics, judo, sailing, swimming, table tennis, and rowing.