Gate of Harmonious Interest, Traditional Chinese gate in Chinatown, Victoria, Canada
Gate of Harmonious Interest is a red and gold structure spanning Fisgard Street, rising approximately 38 feet above street level at the intersection with Government Street. The ornate archway features traditional Chinese architectural details and functions as the main threshold into this historic neighborhood.
The gate was constructed in 1981 as a collaborative project between Victoria's municipal government and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Its creation coincided with efforts to revitalize and honor Canada's oldest Chinatown district during that era.
The two stone lions from Suzhou serve as traditional guardians at the structure, representing protection and good fortune in Chinese tradition. Inscriptions on the gate convey messages about cooperation and harmony among people.
The structure stands at the intersection of Fisgard and Government Streets, making it straightforward to locate and use as a reference point. Visitors can walk through and around it to access the wider neighborhood, with shops and restaurants nearby on both streets.
Time capsules are sealed inside the outer red pillars with instructions to remain closed until the years 2081 and 2096. These buried messages from the present era will eventually offer future generations a glimpse into the thoughts and artifacts of those who built the gate.
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