North Park Blocks

En route to Powell's Books on Burnside yesterday, I passed this charming 12-foot sculpture in the North Park Blocks. It was a gift given in 2002 to the city from a Chinese businessman, Huo Baozhu, whose company made reproductions of Chinese artifacts. This particular one is a replica of an object dating from the Shang dynasty (1200 - 1100 BC). It's embellished with figures from ancient Chinese mythology, & the baby elephant symbolizes that offspring shall be safe & prosperous. (To which I say, whatever.) Huo decided to make & give the statue to the city as he was dying of a rare blood disease, because he'd traveled to Portland on many occasions & admired the city's balance of urban & green spaces.

And apparently Portland loves elephants. So do I!