The Gate of Harmonious Interest (Chinese: 同濟門; pinyin: Tóngjì mén) is a gate and cultural landmark located in Chinatown, Victoria, British Columbia. It spans Fisgard Street, west of Government Street. Erected in 1981,[1] it was part of the revitalization efforts of Chinatown by the City of Victoria and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. The gate, standing at 38 feet high, is adorned with intricate red and gold decorations that represent themes of unity and harmony.
| Gate of Harmonious Interest | |
|---|---|
同濟門 | |
.jpg) The gate in 2018 | |
  | |
| General information | |
| Type | Gate |
| Location | Chinatown |
| Address | Fisgard Street |
| Town or city | Victoria |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 48°25′46″N 123°22′02″W / 48.429379°N 123.367334°W |
| Opened | Nov. 15, 1981 |
| Cost | $130,000 |
| Height | 38 ft |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Mickey Lam |
Two inscriptions on the gate, "To work together with one heart" and "To help each other achieve harmony," commemorate the collaborative effort between Chinese and non-Chinese communities in its construction and restoration. Flanking the gate are two hand-carved stone lions, donated by Victoria's sister city of Suzhou.
The Gate of Harmonious Interest houses two time capsules within its outer red pillars, scheduled to be opened in 2081 and 2096. Additionally, it features a plaque commemorating the 61 Chinese Canadians who died during World War II.[2]
The idea for the gate originated from the City of Victoria's Ad Hoc Committee[3] in August 1979, as a symbol of "the spirit of cooperation and participation between our Chinese citizens and the rest of the community."[4][better source needed] Designed by Mickey Lam,[5] then the city's urban design planner, the construction of the gate cost $130,000, with contributions from the B.C. provincial government, Victoria's Chinese Canadian community, and other sources.
References edit
- ^ indivisionnetwork.com. "Gate of Harmonious Interest by Mickey Lam". artsvictoria.ca. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ indivisionnetwork.com. "Gate of Harmonious Interest by Mickey Lam". artsvictoria.ca. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "A plan for the rehabilitation of Chinatown - City of Victoria Archives' Online Search". archives.victoria.ca. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "Gate of Harmonious Interest (Tong Ji Men)". Victoria Online Sightseeing. 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "The man who saved Chinatown". Times Colonist. 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
External links edit
Media related to Harmonious Gate of Interest at Wikimedia Commons
