Three Arch Doors of Xiangtan University

The main gate of Xiangtan University is consisted of three arch doors. Built in the beginning of 1980s, it is a landmark of XTU. The three arch doors represent that XTU is a comprehensive university involving disciplines of arts, sciences and engineering.

With grand and modern style looking, the overall design of the three arch doors has combined traditional Chinese culture with a modern flavor. It reflects Chinese Philosopher Laozi's idea, that is "Out of Tao, One is born; Out of One, Two; Out of Two, Three; Out of Three, the created universe."

One single arch door looks like Chinese character "人 (people)" . Three doors form character "众(many people)", signifying unity and team spirit. If you look at the three arch doors as a whole, they look like Chinese character "山 (mountain)", encouraging students to keep moving ahead. Each arch door is regarded as a key to the knowledge, as demonstrates that learning is an endless process in the course of exploring the unknown.

Xiangtan University was founded in 1958 according to Chairman Mao's wish of building a university in his hometown. In the same year he autographed the name for the university and requested that the university should be operated well. On the 50th anniversary of the founding of XTU, Bronze Statue of Chairman Mao and Mao Zedong Square were built in front of the three arch doors to memorize Chairman’s love and care to the people, to remind the responsibility that Chairman Mao has wished the university to undertake, and to inspire the teachers and students to make the university prosperous.