Shishi is regarded as "the patron saint of China people".
Stone was originally cold and heartless, but the lion carved from stone has always inherited the meaning of auspiciousness, peace and harmony.
Extended data:
Symbolic significance of stone lions:
As the patron saint of home, Shishi appears in Chinese civilization and even in the world civilization, which is difficult to verify.
China unicorns, four elephants and lions all appeared in front of feudal forces and became the patron saint of luxury houses in the spiritual field, and this cultural phenomenon also appeared in the home culture of the East and the West.
Today, the stone lion at the gate is still a noble and inviolable symbol.
Stone lion outside the palace gate
There are usually a pair of stone lions or bronze lions outside the palace gate. According to the architectural orientation, the paired stone lions in front of the ancient palace are generally left male and right female.
Lions placed on the left side of the door are generally carved into right front paws to play with hydrangeas (some are carved with their mouths open); The lioness on the right side of the door is carved into a left front paw to touch the cub (some are carved into a closed mouth).
You can also see from what is under the lion's paw: if there is a ball under the paw, which symbolizes the unity and supreme power of the whole world, it must be a lion.
The cubs stand under their paws, symbolizing the continuation of their children and grandchildren. This is a lioness.
And because the lion is the king of beasts, a domineering beast.
So it has the functions of "dignity" and "majesty".
Today, it has extended from palaces and yamen to government agencies at all levels and even private houses. In front of the door, people like to use stone lions to ward off evil spirits.
Folk stone lion
Among the people, lions have become brave, powerful and auspicious incarnations.
Performing arts and plastic arts are often inextricably linked.
The lion image in the lion dance is created by folk artists according to their own aesthetic ideals. Lively, naughty and lovely, completely lost the prestige of "the king of beasts"
In folk art, the lion also resonates with the voices of "Taishi" and "Shao Shi", implying a lofty position.
Unlike the dragon and phoenix, the lion, as a royal patent, only appears in the modeling of court art. The lion modeling art is spread all over the homes of ordinary people, and even a pair of small stone lions may be erected at the door of ordinary people's homes.