Since the introduction from Indian culture of the
lion as a auspicious symbol of power and
protection, statues of guardian lions have been
traditionally erected by the facade of Chinese
Imperial palaces, of Imperial mausoleums and
tombs, of government offices, temples and the
private residence of government officials and the
most wealthy.
Such lions are traditionally carved out of
decorative stones, such as marble and granite or
are cast in bronze or iron.
Because of the great cost of these materials and
the labor required to produce them, private use of
guardian lions was traditionally reserved for
wealthy or elite families. Indeed, a traditional
symbol of a family's wealth or social status was
the placement of guardian lions in front of the
family residence.
The lions are always presented in pairs, a
manifestation of yin and yang, the female
representing yin and the male yang.
Although the form of the Chinese guardian lion
was quite varied during its early history in China,
the appearance, pose and various attributes of
the lions eventually became standardized and
completely formalized during the Ming and Qing
dynasties.
- (RL.1109)
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