In Asian culture, theyre a symbol of longevity, prosperity and good luck.
But no one seems to know how a pair of stone elephants came to be guarding the south-east corner of the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel on Minoru Boulevard and Westminster Highway.
Management at the hotel which is celebrating its 15th anniversary believes the elephants are there to counteract the buildings unlucky address of 7571.
According to Chinese superstition, the number seven means abandonment, anger and death, five is associated with what is not possible or prosperous and number one signifies loneliness.
Neither does the hotel have a fourth, 13th or 14th floor again, all numbers carry negative connotations in Chinese folklore.
We live and work in Richmond, which has lots of Asian residents and tourists, said the hotels sales and marketing director, Shawn Caswell, about the detailed attention to Chinese superstition.
The elephants, with their trunks raised, is a very positive symbol, although we dont really know whose idea it was to put them there. No one we speak to seems to know.
To mark the hotels 15th birthday, the people of Richmond are being asked to name the elephants in a prize contest, an invite which was also extended to the citys elementary schools.
The Elephant Naming Contest, which closes on Monday, May 27, includes naming the two stone elephant statues, while telling the story of how they came to be on the hotels southeast corner.
Submit your entry to [email protected] or drop them off at the hotels front desk, marked for Annette Lee. The story must be 500 words or less, name both elephants,v and you must submit your full name and contact information.
The winner will be selected by the Marriott team and announced on the hotels Twitter and Facebook pages on May 29, and again at a charity pancake breakfast on June 1.
All entries will be posted in the hotel lobby for guests and visitors to read during the celebration.
The winner will receive a one-night stay at the hotel and dinner for two at the American Grille.
The hotels pancake breakfast and anniversary celebration is from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on June 1. The pancake breakfast will be served by donation with all proceeds going to the Childrens Miracle Network.
