Tian Xia Wei Gong

The words Tian Xia Wei Gong are prominently inscribed on the Dragon Gate, the ornate stone archway serving as the primary entrance to San Francisco Chinatown. Translated into English, the phrase means all under heaven is for the public or the world belongs to all. This ancient Confucian sentiment was famously adopted by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding leader of the Republic of China, to represent a vision of a society based on equality and shared prosperity rather than the absolute rule of an emperor. By placing these words at the threshold of the neighborhood, the community established a symbolic boundary that champions democratic ideals and the collective well-being of all people.