Almost every country uses animals to symbolize one thing or another. The mythical dragon was used by emperors to represent their supreme authority while the crane stands for longevity, mandarin ducks for love and loyalty, and the crow for bad luck.

             In China, the lion is regarded as the king of the forest and of the animals. It has thus long been used as a symbol of power and grandeur. It is even believed to offer protection from evil spirits. That’s why imposing statues of lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples and tombs. Incense burners and imperial seals were also decorated with carved lions.

             The most famous 500-year-old carved lions are the pair that guard Tian’anmen, the main entrance of the Forbidden City. Lions can also been found in Tiber’s Potala Palace though the Tibetan lions differ somewhat from those in other parts of China. The biggest lion, however, is an iron one at Cangzhou in Hebei Province, cast in the 10th century, standing more than five meters high and weights 49 tons.

             They are not only gate guards. Bridges often feature lion sculptures. The balustrades of the 17-arch bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing are topped with 120 marble lions, each different in looking. Females have frisky cubs lying on their backs or peeking out from their embrace. The Lugou Bridge, with 485 big and small size lions, is most famous for its lions. Built in the 12th century, this imposing bridge is 266.5 meters long and 7.5 meters wide and stands on 11 arches. It is also called the Marco Polo Bridge who crossed it and wrote a vivid description of in his Travels.

             The styles of the lions changed over time. The 1,400-year-old tombs of the Liang Dynasty outside Nanjing are famous for their winged lions. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), seated lions were frequently used resting on their heavy legs so solidly rooted to the earth. It symbolized the strength of the Tang Dynasty. Lions of Song Dynasty (10th to 13th century) had curling manes.

             In the Qing Dynasty, stone lions were placed in temples and gardens. In this period, Chinese sculpture was far livelier. Some lions hold a ball in their forepaws, others roar. IN folk dances, this cruel and powerful beast has been tamed into a playful, even mischievous character. Wearing bells, he runs after a colorful ball, which bounces to the rhythm of the drums. He cavorts about, chases a ball up and down a swaying seesaw, scratches himself, lies down and pants or even drops off for 40 winks of sleep.