Chinatown Dragon Gate

Chinatown Dragon Gate

The Dragon Gate, also known as the Chinatown Gate, stands at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue, marking the southern entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown. Its history is more recent than many might assume, with the gate being dedicated in 1970.

The idea for the gate originated in 1956 when the Chinatown Improvement Committee proposed it as part of a plan to boost foot traffic and business in the area. Initially, there were plans for two gates - one at Grant and Bush for Chinatown, and another at Pacific Avenue and Kearny Street for the Barbary Coast. However, budget constraints led to only the Chinatown gate being approved.

The project faced several challenges:

1. Budget issues: The original budget of $50,000 was reduced to $35,000, which proved insufficient.
2. Design changes: The initial concept of a massive concrete structure with a pagoda-like roof was scrapped due to costs.
3. Delays: The project stalled for years, with construction starting in 1958 but halting in 1961 due to financial and material shortages.

In 1967, Mayor John F. Shelley revitalized the project by sponsoring a design competition open to architects of Chinese descent, with a budget of $70,000. The winning design came from Clayton Lee, a 27-year-old architect from San Mateo.

Construction finally began in 1968, and the gate was completed in 1970. It was a gift from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and built in the style of a traditional Chinese pailou. 

The Dragon Gate features several distinctive architectural elements that reflect traditional Chinese design.It  consists of three portals facing south:
- A larger central portal for automotive traffic
- Two smaller flanking portals for pedestrians
- Each portal is covered with green tiles

The structure is supported by stone columns rising from the sidewalks on either side of Grant Avenue, These stone columns adhere to traditional Chinese gateway standards, unlike many U.S. 'Chinese' gateways that use wooden supports.

There many decorative and symbolic elements:

Guardian Lions: Each pedestrian portal features a stone Chinese guardian lion
  - The male lion at the west portal has its right fore paw on a pearl or stone
  - The female lion at the east portal has its left fore paw on a juvenile lion

Symbolic Creatures: The gate is adorned with fish and dragons
  - Fish symbolize prosperity
  - Dragons represent power and fertility
  - A ball between the dragons symbolizes the Earth

Inscriptions:  Each portal displays four Chinese character above it, read from right to left:
- Central portal: 天下為公 (tiānxià wèi gōng) - "All under heaven is for the good of the people"
- East portal: 忠孝仁愛 (zhōngxiào rén'ài) - "Respect (filial piety); love"
- West portal: 信義和平 (xìnyì hépíng) - "Trust (confidence); peace"

The Dragon Gate quickly became one of the most photographed locations in Chinatown, symbolizing the community's strong cultural identity and welcoming visitors to explore the rich tapestry of Chinese-American life in San Francisco.

Fore more information:
    Wikipedia
    lucky-tuk-tuk.com
    sanfranciscojeeptours.com