Chinatown has a new, massive mural of a dragon

Near Chinatown’s Friendship Archway, there is a brand new, 40-foot-long public mural, featuring a dragon. The image, chosen as a symbol of strength and good luck, was created by D.C.-based art and design company BroCoLoco, the same company behind the interior mural at Chef David Guas’ Lil’ B restaurant.

According to a press release, the hand-painted dragon scales on the mural were inspired by the traditional scalloped tiles from Chinese architecture.

The mural, titled “CIRCA Dragon,” is located on the exterior wall of the new CIRCA restaurant, located at 781 Seventh Street NW. CIRCA is expected to open early 2018.

In a statement, Aaron Scales, founder of BroCoLoco, said, “We wanted to create a design that naturally ‘spoke’ to the Chinatown community and became integrated into the fabric of the neighborhood. It’s a privilege to produce a piece that honors the neighborhood’s heritage and complements one of the most striking and enduring Chinatown symbols, that is the Friendship Archway.”