Western-style Guardian Lions in China

In addition to traditional Chinese guardian lions, it is not uncommon to see Western-influenced (naturalistic) lions in Chinese cities. Some of these are completely naturalistic in appearance; others are more stylised. Whereas orthodox Chinese-style lions have the head facing forwards, naturalistic lions tend to have them partially facing to the side. In many cases the male is represented with his mouth open and the female with hers closed. The following examples are from the streets of Haikou, Sanya, and Shenzhen.

Shenzhen, Guangdong

This pair of completely Western-style lions (they wouldn't be out of place outside a London department store) nevertheless observes the convention that the one on the left (normally considered the female) has its mouth shut and the one on the right has its mouth open.

Female

Male

Sanya, Hainan

These two lions, photographed in Sanya, also follow the convention that the lion on the left has its mouth closed and the one on the right has its mouth open (with pearl inside).

Female

Male

Sanya, Hainan

Two very similar lions in the same street in Sanya, couchant.

Female

Male

Sanya, Hainan

Another pair of relatively naturalistic lions in Sanya following the same convention.

Female

Male

Haikou, Hainan

This pair or naturalistic lions from the streets of Haikou does not observe the tradition of one-mouth-open, one-mouth-shut. However, they differ from Western lions in the fact that (1) they have a pearl in their mouths (one of the characteristics of Chinese lions) and (2) the male is differentiated from the female. This is only apparent from the bottom pair of photos, where a close inspection will reveal that the male has the suggestion of genitalia.

Western-influenced stone lions in Haikou (female) - diagonal view

Western-influenced stone lion in Haikou (male) - diagonal view

Female

Male

Guardian Lions in Zumiao, Foshan

Guardian Lions in Wuhouci (Chengdu)

A Couple of Guardian Lions Shot in Chengdu & Shenzhen

Guardian Lions in Hainan (1) Haikou and Sanya

Guardian Lions in Hainan (2) Qionghai and Haikou

Guardian Lions in Hainan (3) Haikou

Lions Guarding a Haikou Park

Some Slightly Different Guardian Lions Tibetan, Vietnamese, Ming

Some Western-influenced Guardian Lions in China

Links to sites about guardian lions on the Internet.