foo dog
Chinese stone lion
Foo dogs are the stone or ceramic lion-like guardian figures found in pairs at the entrances of Chinese temples, palaces, and homes.
Despite the name, they represent lions, not dogs—Western traders apparently misidentified them.
One typically has a paw on a ball, the other on a cub.
The figures have spread to restaurants, gardens, and doorsteps worldwide as decorative protectors.
Protective temple statue
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- hybridThing of mixed parentage
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
folklore · Chinese mythology · Japanese · Okinawan · Korean · Buddhist · symbolism · iconography
Guard who monitors
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- defenderOne who guards another
- watchdogGuard or monitor
custodian · threshold · entrance · doorway · temple · shrine · palace · estate
Copper-tin alloy
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
- ceramicFired clay material
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
carving · statuette · figurine · pedestal · patina · gilt · enamel · cloisonné
Good fortune, success
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- luckChance affecting outcomes
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- protectionGuarding against harm
warding · evil spirits · feng shui · amulet · talisman · omen · beneficent · propitious
guardian lion
Protective temple statue
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- hybridThing of mixed parentage
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
legendary · folklore · Chinese mythology · Japanese · Okinawan · Korean · Buddhist · symbolism · iconography · sacred
sentinel
Guard who monitors
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- defenderOne who guards another
watchdog · custodian · threshold · entrance · doorway · temple · shrine · palace · estate · mansion
bronze
Copper-tin alloy
porcelain · carving · statuette · figurine · pedestal · patina · gilt · enamel · cloisonné · casting
prosperity
Good fortune, success
protection · warding · evil spirits · feng shui · amulet · talisman · omen · beneficent · propitious · felicitous
mane
Neck hair, horse/lion
powerful · fierce · regal · majestic · paws · claws · fangs · snarling · crouching · seated
Forbidden City
Ming dynasty royal complex
Ming · Tang · Beijing · throne · nobility · aristocracy · mandarin · court · ceremony · regalia
- yard decorwreath, garden gnome, lawn flamingo, garden ornament, bird bath
- decorative animalscat figurine, duck decoy, lawn flamingo, wooden duck, lucky cat
- Asian Sculptureseated Buddha, standing Buddha, garden Buddha, Bodhisattva, guardian lion
- Cat Lorecat goddess, familiar, witch's cat, familiars, black cat
- guardian spiritsguardian spirit, guardian angel, protective spirit, ancestral spirit, guiding spirit
- Asian beastsdragon, tiger, ox, rat, rabbit
foo dogdemon
Malevolent supernatural being
evil spirit · oni · hell hound · hungry ghost · gargoyle