To spot the landmark, look just ahead and slightly to your left-you’ll see a giant bronze sculpture of two elephants, one small balancing playfully atop the other, both covered in swirling patterns.
Alright, you’ve found Da Tung and Xi'an Bao Bao-no, you haven’t gone back in time or wandered onto a movie set, but it sure feels that way, doesn’t it? Standing before you, shimmering in bronze, is an enormous adult elephant calmly holding up a baby elephant on its back; both of them have their trunks raised as if greeting the day. Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine the clang of metal and the dust of busy artisans, because this playful duo was born far away at the Five Rings Bronze Foundry in Xi’an, China, before making the long journey across the ocean to greet Portland.
The baby elephant is perched “peacefully on his father’s back,” and the pattern swirling on their surfaces isn’t just decoration-it’s clouds and mythical creatures spiraling all around them, like stories blown by a gentle Chinese breeze across time and space. Though the elephants look ancient, their style is inspired by a tiny wine pitcher from the mighty Shang dynasty-over 3,000 years ago! But let me tell you, this is no dainty teapot; this stump-stomping statue is about sixteen times bigger than the original, so standing beside it, you’re a part of the legend too.
Now, picture this: the name “Da Tung” means “universal peace,” while “Xi’an Bao Bao” means “baby elephant.” Together, they stand for safe and happy generations, where little ones can ride on the shoulders of the strong and wise. Can you feel the calm? Maybe, if you stand close enough, you’ll catch Portland’s playful spirit-the same one that blends art, culture, and a touch of mystery, all in the heart of the North Park Blocks.
So take a moment and snap a selfie with these gentle giants-but fair warning, if you try to climb up like Xi’an Bao Bao, I can’t promise you’ll get universal peace, but you might get a universally surprised look from a passing squirrel!
