Boston's Chinatown.

 

Here, June is standing below the Paifang at the entrance to Boston’s Chinatown district; cultural heart of the Chinese community.

Positioned at each side of June, resting Lions guard the entrance; these are placed at the base of the Paifang and signify protection. Internationally, key elements of these constructions such as red pillars (symbolising good fortune, but not employed on this one) and tiled roofs (often green or gold – representing prosperity) are found in many of the Paifang we’ve seen on our travels and, while they may seem fairly similar, they are all uniquely decorated with artworks deeply symbolic to the Chinese diaspora around the world. The four gold inscriptions on the arch above this entrance on Boston’s Beach Street read: Propriety, Justice, Integrity and Honour.

Hanging above the Paifang are the ‘Stars & Stripes’ of America and, alongside ‘Old Glory’, hangs the National Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan), not to be confused with the Peoples Republic of China (Beijing). This version of the flag also has an element of the American Flag added – the short ‘Stars and Stripes’ at the foot. It’s hung in honour of the Taiwanese Government who gifted the gate to Boston in 1982.