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A universal symbol of New York’s Financial District, the Charging Bull, also known as the Wall Street Bull, is one of the city’s most popular landmarks. This famous bronze sculpture attracts countless visitors every year. Here’s everything you need to know about the history of this iconic sculpture and what it represents for New York City and its visitors.
Front view of the Charging Bull sculpture in Wall Street, New York City, showcasing its powerful stance.
The History of the Charging Bull
The Bull Sculpture: A Work by Arturo di Modica
In the aftermath of the 1987 stock market crash, Arturo di Modica, an Italian-American artist, wanted to gift New York City a symbol of strength, optimism, and prosperity. Without prior notice, on December 15, 1989, the artist installed his creation in front of a large Christmas tree situated across from the New York Stock Exchange. The Wall Street Bull was the artist’s Christmas gift to the city. The installation of the Charging Bull was carried out without the city’s permission, rendering it technically illegal. Consequently, the sculpture was seized by the police and immediately placed in a vehicle pound. Eventually, thanks to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Wall Street Bull statue was relocated to Wall Street, in Bowling Green.
The bronze sculpture of the Wall Street Bull and its installation amounted to a cost of $360,000. The presence of this sculpture has transformed New York’s Financial District into a genuine tourist magnet in the heart of Manhattan.
Enhance your New York visit by exploring this district or taking a trip to the One World Observatory, the city’s tallest observatory.
Fearless Girl
Years later, a second statue named “Fearless Girl” or “The Girl of Wall Street” was illegally placed facing the famous New York bull. This bronze sculpture, created by Kristen Visbal, depicts a young girl with her hands on her hips, defiantly staring down the Charging Bull. It serves as a message of female empowerment. Fearless Girl is actually a communication stunt by the advertising agency McCann New York, commissioned by State Street Global Advisors. This company, advocating for gender diversity, aimed to use Fearless Girl to promote its new investment fund. This move was not appreciated by Arturo Di Modica, who felt the girl statue was exploiting his work for purely commercial purposes.
The girl statue is located on Broad Street, directly opposite the Wall Street Stock Exchange.
Charging Bull: Meaning, Features, and Symbols
Measuring approximately 11 feet in height and 16 feet in length, this imposing bronze sculpture weighs 3.5 tons. It stands as one of the most visited monuments in the Big Apple.
Also known as the Charging Bull, its name literally means “the bull that charges.” This symbol of power, strength, and hope essentially embodies the bullish, or rising, stock market of Wall Street.
Side view of the Wall Street Bull in New York, highlighting its muscular build and dynamic pose.
Another notable feature of this artwork is that the bull’s right front foot is pointed forward, specifically towards the stock exchange. According to experts, this posture suggests that the Charging Bull is in motion, particularly financial motion. Its lowered head and flared nostrils symbolize its charging action. Observing the bull’s head position, one can see it is charging towards the commercial area. The icon of the Financial District thus conveys a financial and commercial message.
The New York Bull: A Statue of Luck?
The Wall Street Bull is one of the most beloved monuments in the city. Indeed, numerous tourists flock daily to take photos with the Charging Bull. One of the reasons for this monument’s fame is the legend surrounding one of its key features: its testicles.
Symbols of fertility and prosperity, the testicles of the Wall Street Bull are said to bring beneficial effects to anyone who touches them. It is believed that touching the horns or testicles of this bronze monument brings happiness, luck, and fortune.
How to Approach the New York Bull
Where is the Wall Street Bull Located?
Situated in Manhattan’s Financial District, this sculpture is located in a public garden: Bowling Green. To fully explore this area, follow our walking tour.
How to Get to the Charging Bull by Subway
4 5 Bowling Green station.
What is the Best Time of Day to Go?
To discover this statue in peace and quiet, we recommend visiting early in the morning. Besides avoiding crowds, you can also take pictures of the Charging Bull without anyone around. It’s also the perfect time to touch the impressive “family jewels” of this animal.
If you decide to go in the afternoon, you will most likely have to queue to enjoy the experience.
Did You Know?
The Wall Street Bull is one of the most photographed monuments in New York City.
