guardian lion
Temple entrance protector
Guardian lions are stylized stone lion statues traditionally placed in pairs at the entrances of Chinese palaces, temples, and important buildings.
One lion typically has a paw on a ball (male), the other on a cub (female).
They serve as symbolic protectors, warding off evil spirits.
Also called foo dogs, fu lions, or shi.
- foo dogChinese guardian lion statue
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- templeSacred worship structure
- gateHinged barrier in fence
- ChineseOf that Asian nation
statue · protector · imperial · Forbidden City · imperial palace · marble · entrance · palace · mythical · beast · mane · paw · ball · open mouth · closed mouth · fierce · ornate · symmetry
- Asian Motifsdragons, cranes, lotus flower, phoenix, cherry blossoms
- Asian Sculptureseated Buddha, standing Buddha, garden Buddha, Bodhisattva, foo dog
- Asian beastsdragon, tiger, ox, rat, rabbit
- lion loreSphinx, Aslan, Mufasa, Simba, king of beasts
- Shinto shrinestorii, torii gate, jinja, haiden, main hall
- Asian sacred artgolden Buddha, Buddha head, bodhisattva, thangka, pagoda