Chinese Gate Sculpture

What secrets whisper behind the ornate facade of the Chinese Gate Sculpture? Here at the International Peace Gardens, this magnificent gateway beckons us into a world of history and harmony. The Chinese Gate Sculpture, dedicated in 1979, stands as a testament to a rich cultural exchange. The gate itself, however, predates the sculptures, a story waiting to be unveiled. Let’s journey back to 1959, the year the surrounding Chinese garden was dedicated. Imagine strolling through a landscape designed by University of Utah architecture student, William Louie. Pagodas rise against the sky, graceful bridges arch over tranquil waters, and vibrant paintings adorn the walls. The garden embodies the Chinese philosophy, “Each step a different view.” The Jordan River flows nearby, its banks adorned with bamboo, pines, lotuses, and water lilies. Weeping willows, mulberries, and flowering plums and peaches perfume the air. Roses, begonias, chrysanthemums, and other flowers paint the landscape in a riot of color. Rare magnolia trees and citrus shrubs, gifts from the Chinese Freemasons president from San Francisco, stand as symbols of peace and friendship. The thirty-foot gateway, crafted from wood and concrete and topped with Chinese-style roof tiling, originally bore a wooden sign engraved with the words “Peace Garden” in the calligraphy of Dr. Wellington Koo, former Chinese Ambassador to the United States. A couplet flanking the gate proclaimed, “China and the West harmonious live beneath auspicious clouds; Joyous emanations permeate the International Peace Gardens.” Years later, in 1979, the two imposing lion statues that we see today were added, completing the Chinese Gate Sculpture and further solidifying the garden’s message of peace and international cooperation. The Chinese Gate Sculpture is more than just a beautiful artwork. It’s a portal to understanding, a symbol of unity, and a reminder of the beauty that can blossom when cultures intertwine.