Chinese guardian lions - Elk Grove, CA
Posted by: 
saopaulo1
N 38° 24.548 W 121° 21.812
10S E 642880 N 4252478
Two Chinese guardian lions in the downtown area of Elk Grove. These lions are in front of a Chinese restaurant.
Waymark Code: WMBABF
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2011
Views: 2
"Chinese guardian lions, known also as Imperial guardian lion or stone lions (??, Pinyin: Shíshi) in Chinese art and often (incorrectly) called "Foo Dogs" in the West, are a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China. They are believed to have powerful mythic protective powers that has traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Pairs of guardian lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one sitting on each side of the entrance, in China and in other places around the world where the Chinese people have immigrated and settled, especially in local Chinatowns." (
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