Travelling to the West ( 4) ：INUKSHUK
The large granite monument in the Picture1 stands at the south-west end of English Bay Beach, Vancouver. I don't know what it is until I read the words on the plaque nearly.
The plaque says:
"This ancient symbol of the Inuit culture is traditionally used as a landmark and navigational aid and also represents northern hospitality and friendship. Constructed of grey granite by Alvin Kanak of Rankin Inlet, this monument was commissioned by the Government of the Northwest Territories for its Pavilion at EXPO 86 and later given to the City of Vancouver. In 1987, the Inukshuk was moved to this site and sponsored as a gift to the City by Coast Hotels through the Vancouver Legacies Program.
In 2006, Coast Hotels continued its long-standing support within the community by generously funding the lighting of the Inukshuk making this welcoming symbol visible at night."
P1:
In the Inuit language the name Inukshuk means "in the likeliness of a human". Every Inukshuk is unique in shape because they were made of whatever rocks were near that location.
Can you believe it ? This monument is about six meters tall and weighs approximately 31,500 kilograms.
Now It made more sence to me why the emblem of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver were desiged like that in picture2.
P2:
This also reminded me that in many place we went in Ontario, if there were lots of rocks on the beach, there would be some human like things left there. I guessed they were piled by somebody using nearly rocks. Now I know why people made these. We often did this activity as well.
Thanks for reading!
Have a wonderful weekend!