Thousands of Chinese laborers came to San Francisco between 1850 and 1900 to work on the railroads and in the gold fields. They created a community that became the largest Chinatown in North America. Iconic examples of Chinese culture are everywhere, including on the wall of this building. This woman lowers her head at the exact instant she passes below the painting of a huge bird curling into a deep bow. The overhanging trees and fire escape ladder add to the scene by providing an overhead frame within a frame – the bird seems to be bowing because of them.