Charging Bull: Icon of New York’s Financial District
Since 1989, a massive bronze bull has stood guard at the entrance to New York's Financial District. A beloved landmark adopted by visitors worldwide!
What You Need to Know About the Wall Street Bull
- The Wall Street Bull is a massive bronze sculpture nearly 5 meters (16.4 ft) long and over 3 meters (9.8 ft) tall. It stands north of Bowling Green Park, at the intersection of Broadway.
- The sculpture’s official name is “Charging Bull.” The animal is captured in an aggressive pose, symbolizing the strength and upward momentum of financial markets.
- Italian artist Arturo Di Modica created this giant sculpture and funded it himself—at a cost of $350,000 at the time.
- Originally, the bull was installed illegally in front of the New York Stock Exchange following the 1987 financial crash. The intention was to represent the resilience of the American people. After weeks of artistic tension, New York City eventually accepted the bull and relocated it to its current spot in 1989.
When to Visit the Wall Street Bull
- The Charging Bull is now one of the most popular attractions in the Financial District, and tourists flock to see it.
- Visit Bowling Green Park early in the morning if you want a photo of the bull without crowds. By afternoon, you’ll find yourself surrounded by visitors, as you’ll see in the video below.
- You’ll notice that certain parts of the bronze bull are polished to a shine. Many visitors believe touching these spots brings good luck—feel free to try it yourself.
- Just across from the bull stands another statue: the Fearless Girl. This sculpture was also installed without permission, in 2017 for International Women’s Day. New York City has yet to decide its permanent fate, and there’s ongoing discussion about whether it will be moved.
Wall Street Bull Video
