Introduction to Chinese Foo Dog Lions

About Chinese Lions (note - this article was updated on Feb 12 2004, in response to the unauthorized use of our text on webpages and on eBay. We have updated our article on Chinese lions for the benefit of our users - we will vigourously prosecute those who use our intellectual property for commercial gain without the written permission of ESTATELIONS.COM!)

Animal imagery has always been an important element in Chinese art, but few have lasted as long—or remained as popular—as Chinese lions. Also known as ‘Fo Dogs’, or ‘Lions of Buddha’, Chinese lions are found outside palaces and temples, and are often carved into the building as door steps, eaves and beam ends. Admired in Japan and Korea as much as in China, the animal statues combine artistic achievement, symbolic power and a cute folksiness that makes them popular with people of all ages.

1. Animals in Early Chinese Art

During the Shang dynasty, the taotie, a highly stylized animal face, was placed on bronze vessels left in tombs and engraved into weapons. As a motif, it remained popular throughout the period, changing in style and, it is believed, in meaning. To some, the face’s fierce expression suggest that it was intended as a kind of guardian or even a symbol of royal power; to others, the creature’s bulbous eyes and prominent fangs mark the first tentative appearance of the dragon in Chinese art.

Over time, the taotie faded as a motif to be replaced during the Han dynasty by artistic influences from the north and west of the country. The Xiongnu, the nomadic northern tribes against whom the Yellow Emperor had built the Great Wall, led Chinese artists to inlay their bronze weapons and implements with realistic hunting scenes that included tigers, deer and even unicorns. At the same time, freestanding stone animal sculpture was being used for the first time, especially in the form of horses and bears. This was the period when the lion made its first appearance in Chinese art, most likely as a result of contacts with the relics of Assyria and Babylon but also as an element of Buddhist art which was then beginning to spread through China along the Silk Road. For Buddhists, the lion is regarded as a protector of truth and a defender against evil. The Buddha Shakyamuni is referred to as the Lion of the Shakya clan, and in India, lions were often shown supporting the Buddha’s throne.

Other than a gift from the King of Parthia in 87 AD however, China had no lions of its own, and that may be one of the reasons that the statues have remained more stylized than realistic.

After this initial brief appearance during the Han dynasty, the lion disappeared from Chinese art to return during the Tang dynasty when Chinese artistic achievement reached its peak.

2. The symbolism of Chinese lions

Fo Dogs take their name from the Chinese term for Buddhism, fojiao, but are also known as ‘Fu Lions’, a homonym based on the Chinese word ‘Fu’ meaning luck or prosperity. In Japan, where the statues are placed outside Shinto shrines, the images are called shishi, which means ‘stone lion’ in Chinese. They are also known in Japan as ‘Korean dogs,’ probably because the statues reached Japan from China via Korea. Because the images have existed for so many years, the meaning of the symbols attached to the animals has grown and changed. Today, there are more explanations for each element of the statues’ iconography as there are differences in style.

Although male/male pairs are common, Chinese lions usually appear as male/female pairs with the male holding a ball under one paw, and the female holding a lion cub which lies on its back. One Chinese legend holds that female lions have nipples on the bottoms of their paws which they use to suckle the cub. The ball is believed to represent the union of Heaven and Earth, or the totality of Buddhist law, and the cub is believed to represent the world. Alternatively, Chinese today like to point out that while the male lion plays with a ball, the female lion is left to look after the baby.

In imperial times, lions were often displayed outside the homes of Chinese state officials where the number of curls on the lion’s back indicated the official’s rank in the bureaucratic system. The use of lions with thirteen curls was restricted to the imperial family and officials of the first rank, and the number of curls dropped by one with each level. Officials below the seventh grade were forbidden to display stone lions at all.

Chinese lions are often shown looking away from each other. Their mouths may be closed to shelter and keep in the good spirits or open to scare off demons. Some believe that open-mouthed lions are making the mantric sounds ‘ah’ and ‘um.’ The 48 inch marble lions that we sell, and many of the wooden lions found in Asia, have balls carved into the lion’s mouth. It is believed that turning the ball three times can bring good luck.

In general, the lions can be seen as symbolizing the unity of heaven and earth, but because the statues are intended to act as guardians, ceremonies may be held to bring the lions to life. These involve placing a coin under the statue and dotting the eye lions’ eyes with paint, a ritual that is also performed on the lions used in lion dances. Of course, once the animals have been awakened, they have to be fed and looked after!

Lions or Dogs?

While they might have manes, large paws and sharp-looking tooth, Chinese lions are not the kind of realistic representations that we’re used to in the West. They’re more friendly than fierce and that may be one of the reasons that they’re also referred to as dogs. In fact, Chinese art and history has a whole rage of mythical animals and it’s important not to confuse Chinese lions with other creatures such as the Qilin, a combination of dragon, snake and ox.

Whether you prefer to think of the statues as the kings of the jungle or man’s best friend, Chinese lions are one of the most popular and permanent examples of Chinese art. You can find them outside Chinese restaurants, businesses, homes—and in our warehouse in every possible shape and size.

All of our lions come in pairs to provide a perfect balance of yin and yang—and perfect company for each other. You can choose a style and size to match your home or garden, but don’t forget: don’t wake them up unless you intend to feed them!

-Copyright © 2004 SCULPTUREDSTONE.COM and ESTATELIONS.COM. All rights reserved.

A Kilin, or Qi'lin: Note the dragon head, horns, scales, and hooves

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