“Dragon Gates” are considered a unique and unmistakable symbol of architecture in Hong Kong (China).
Those who have visited Hong Kong (China) may have been curious about the gigantic holes that appear quite… unscientific. This is not a design flaw or coincidence; rather, it is the result of a unique intersection between modern architecture and the profound spiritual culture of the East.
Common holes seen in skyscrapers in Hong Kong.
To create such an open space, the calculations and construction must be quite complex. Yet, every building seems to have one. What is the reason behind this?
Technically, these holes help skyscrapers reduce wind load, but that is not the main reason they exist. The real reason stems from the beliefs of Hong Kong residents regarding feng shui.
Dragon Gates
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese doctrine that studies the overall influence of various factors such as airflow, terrain, water sources, and layout… on the fortune and misfortune of people in a given space. Based on the belief that the universe operates according to rules beyond human comprehension, people follow feng shui in their living, construction, and home arrangement with the hope of attracting good fortune and ensuring smooth sailing in all endeavors.
In feng shui, dragons are regarded as symbols of luck and prosperity. The holes between the buildings are considered gateways for dragons to freely soar out to the sea without obstruction, bringing good fortune flowing through the heart of the city.
Buildings with holes are usually near water.
For this reason, buildings with holes are often situated near water bodies, such as lakes or the sea.
The deep belief in feng shui is also reflected in many other constructions. For instance, the HSBC Building – although it appears peculiar to many, it is regarded in the construction community as a project with very good feng shui.
The first floor of the building features a high ceiling but is completely open without any reception desks or offices, symbolizing a space for positive energy to flow into the building. Additionally, the elevators on this floor are strategically placed in corners calculated by feng shui experts to prevent negative energies from disrupting business.
A pair of large bronze lion statues is also positioned at the entrance, symbolizing wealth and abundance.
Photo of the first floor of the HSBC Building.
Higher up, on the roof of the HSBC Building, there are two objects resembling cannons. It turns out that nearby is the Bank of China Tower – a building considered to have extremely bad feng shui, so much so that it affects the fortune of surrounding structures. The two “cannons” were placed there after the “troublesome neighbor” was completed, intended to protect HSBC’s fortune from being dragged down.
As their fortunes grow, the people of Hong Kong are increasingly willing to invest significantly in hiring feng shui masters to work alongside architects, hoping their projects will attract abundant positive energy.
In addition to feng shui reasons, these holes also provide several practical benefits. In many cases, they help reduce wind resistance acting on buildings, which is especially important in Hong Kong, a region frequently affected by powerful storms. Furthermore, they optimize natural light and create a more spacious feeling for living and working environments.
However, not everyone agrees with this design. Some opinions suggest that the holes reduce the usable area of the building and may be unnecessary in the modern context. Yet, regardless of the controversy, “Dragon Gates” remain a unique and unmistakable symbol of Hong Kong’s architecture.
