East Van Cross
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The East Van Cross is a symbol formed by the words East written vertically and Van written horizontally in capital letters, intersecting at the shared letter A, and forming the shape of a cross. Van is short for Vancouver, and the reference is to the city's Eastern half, traditionally less wealthy, and harder-edged.
The East Van Cross traditionally was the work of graffiti artists, said to express the "marginality and defiance" of East Vancouver.[1][2]
Starting in the 21st century, the symbol has been adopted as a city icon, most visibly expressed in the form of Monument for East Vancouver by artist Ken Lum, erected in 2010 near the intersection of Clark Drive and East 6th Avenue.[3] It has become possible to purchase clothing[4] and jewellery bearing the East Van Cross motif.[5]
The symbol is alluded to in the packaging of the Parallel 49 Brewing Company Craft Lager.[6]
The Cross features prominently on the right side of Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Thatcher Demko's new goalie mask, which he unveiled on December 22, 2024.[7]