Pictures below are two pairs of wood carved Chinese guardian lions from my collection. Chinese guardian lions, known as 'Shi' (獅) were often incorrectly called "Fu Dogs" (Fu means fortune or luck in Chinese) in the West, are a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China. They have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits.
Pairs of guardian lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at home or at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures.
The small ones such as pictures below, are usually placed at the front altar of the Peranakan or Chinese families as to protect the household.
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Picture 4
Pictures below show another pair of guardian lions which were usually attached to the furnitures such as cupboards and altar tables.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Pairs of guardian lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at home or at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures.
The small ones such as pictures below, are usually placed at the front altar of the Peranakan or Chinese families as to protect the household.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4Pictures below show another pair of guardian lions which were usually attached to the furnitures such as cupboards and altar tables.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
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