Workers are installing 56 gigantic red pillars that are painted with different ethnic patterns on Tian’anmen Square, for the symbolic meaning of China’s 56 ethnic groups. This is one of the main decorations on the square for this year’s 60th anniversary National Day ceremony. The 56 pillars implies the equality, unity, harmony and national ethnic structure. Each pillar is 13.6 meters high and weighs 26 tons. They are designed to resist level 11 wind, rain and fire.
Each pillar has an unique painting that symbolizes an ethnic group in China. The first pillar of national unity has been installed ib the east side of Tian’anmen Square today.