The inscriptions mean, 'To work together with one heart' and 'To help each other achieve harmony.' Mingle, mingle. What's also cool is that there are time capsules buried near the base of each side and that the names of Chinese-Canadians who died during WW2 are listed as well.
It's one of the oldest Chinatowns in North America and was once one of the largest. It's quite small now but still full of character. I'll blog more about that later. Until then, here's a bit of a cheesie mini-doc about Victoria's Chinatown.
In the above vid, the woman mentions the Tam Kung Temple. Benjamin over at Victoria Daily Photo has a couple of fantastic photos of the Temple's interior. Interesting stuff.
The last time I was in Chinatown a more mundane thing caught my eye. These groovy new bike racks.
For more 'That's My World Tuesdays' - click the pic:
Cool bike racks for sure! I love to see different China towns. This one is charming.
ReplyDeleteHi Marnie, I usually stay at the International Hostel when I in town and it is on the edge of Chinatown and I love walking the streets and alley ways which ooze with history of the early Chinese in Canada. The Gateway to Harmonious Living is such a beautiful and intricate landmark. Thanks for sharing this. Have a great week and enjoy the cooler weather!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and smiles
P.S. The bike racks are beautiful and your photos great!
Oooo, all I can think about now is how I want some wonton and kung po chicken!
ReplyDeleteMLM has just gone to buy us a chinese meal for dinner. If only it were chinatown standard and not rural ontario rubbish.
ReplyDeleteHey ho. Interesting post Marnie.
OOOooo yes, great Chinese food is plentiful here; Westernised stuff and the real deal.
ReplyDeleteI've gone for Dim Sum with people of a variety of Chinese background and we're always offered the 'real menu'.
Once, I was happily scarfing down a bowl of what I thought was marinated bean thread noodles... yum, yum, yum. Then, my friend Chew says, 'I didn't know that you liked jellyfish, Marnie'...
'WTF!?!?!' =:-o
'The woaman' in the vid.....you mean Astrid...yum.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post. Thanks for the link. When I posted a photo of the Chinese bike racks a couple of months ago one of my visitors who reads Chinese script commented that the symbol on the bike rack stands for "Double Happiness."
ReplyDeletethat's a pretty bike rack:) it seems traditional that there'd be some arch by the entrance/exit of Chinatown. We have ours too:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Benjamin. :-)
ReplyDeleteDouble happiness makes sense: I've experienced both! "yippy, no one stole my bike!" and "yippy, no one locked their bike to mine!"