In the East Tower mural, entitled “Long Mah Ching Sun,” meaning Dragon Horse Spirit of Strength and Vitality, Gerard reflects the emerging spirit of the time and the cultural heritage of the region. The starting point for the East Tower mural was the asymmetrical gem-shaped facets of the building designed by Paul Rudolph, the chair of the architectural department of Yale University in Connecticut. These were to be expressed in the Chinese calligraphic character Li, which means force or strength.

Starting at the top left hand corner of the mural, one sees a circular “Pi disc” against cloud forms, representing the earliest Chinese cosmic symbol of Heaven.

Below it, the pentagonal-shaped piece of ceramic depicts the five races of the world. Following this is the neck and back of Himalayan Snow leopard and Chinese white metal tiger transforming itself into the body of a Chimera and eventually into the talons of an eagle holding a bolt of lightning. The tiger represents the peak of worldly power. At the bottom of this side panel is the artist’s Chinese signature and seal.

The upper section of the mural depicts the sky and the heavens with rainbow billows, bands and cloud shapes representing water, which also signifies prosperity. The auspicious setting of the dragon’s head in the center of the mural reminds it of its good fortune. He holds a stone column,a symbol of Earth and strength. His left claw grasps a prism-shaped jewel, its rays shining outwards to the four corners of the Earth. Wtihin the jewel is sealed a time capsule containing newspapers of the day, a video documenting Hong Kong of the 1980’s.

Sitting atop the sweeping curved neck of an open-mouthed T’ang horse rests the giant petals of a lotus flower, symbolizing success and wealth. The arched neck of the horse also represents the cultural bridge between East and West.

Framed within the arch of the horse’s neck is an ancient Chinese junk, laden with treasure and precious cargo, signifying continuing success and prosperity in commerce now and throughout the future of Hong Kong.

Assimliated within the stone background, one can discover shapes representing Chinese astrological signs and animals, such as the hare, serpent and toad.