Stone Lions

Commonly seen in Asian furniture or souvenir shops are statues of what we westerners call “Fu Dogs”. In actuality, these are not dogs at all, but lions. In China they are known as “Chinese guardian lions”, “Imperial guardian lions”, or simply “stone lions”.

Stone lions are typically carved out of wood, decorative stone or precious metals and are seen as a status symbol in China. They normally stand as a pair, representing yin and yang, to guard the entryway of Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, temples, and homes of the wealthy or social elite. In modern culture they also adorn the entrance of more banal establishments such as grocery stores and restaurants. Traditionally one lion is male and the other is female. The male is normally shown with one paw on an embroidered ball called a "xiù qiú" which shows the geometric pattern known as the “Flower of Life.” The female lion then has her paw resting on a cub, representing the cycle of life. Sometimes, one lion will have the mouth shut, while the other has it open representing inhalation and exhalation, or life and death.

Check out our collection of stone lion statues and figurines to add some ancient imperial vibes to your home!

Sources Used for Writing This Blog:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions