- Leaves are from the Tree of Hong Kong, Bauhinia (洋紫荆). The shape is like a heart which also represents we need a heart to be a good doctor.
- Tree of Andry: a universal symbol of Orthopaedics (Nicholas Andry, Professor of Medicine in University of Paris, who first introduced the term Orthopaedia)
(ortho= to make straight, paedia= a child)
A crooked tree was used to symbolise the spine of a child where by binding the tree to a straight pole with a piece of rope, the tree will grow in a straight manner. (a common practice by the farmers working in orchards).
- The two fixators are symbol of modern orthopaedics and traumatology as compared with the rope used in the original tree of Andry.
- CUHK at the base signifying the foundation of the department is the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
- This is one of the four pillars (华表) in front of the Chinese University of Hong Kong campus main entrance. A very traditional Chinese symbol to commemorate achievements and is also found in front of the Tiananmen. |