wnp26.492
Stockton near Clay
Elevated view north on Stockton to [Chinese New Year?] Dragon Parade, crowds, people on rooftops. Porch with iron railing at far left is part of First Presbyterian Chinese Church, 911 Stockton. Parade participants carry a portable gate preceding the main procession of the dragon. Two Chinese ideograms across the top of the gate read “Yu Gate", referring to a near-mythical sage-king of ancient China, known as Yu the Great or Yu the Engineer. To the ancient Chinese, the fish jumping over the Dragon Gate symbolized the sudden elevation and advancement of one’s social status into the upper class. In this use, it called on this pioneer community’s will and courage to strive for transformative accomplishments. (Interpretation by Doug Chan). [Chinese Parade With The Dragon #465]
Chinatown
