Lions are fierce animals. Why do you always put a pair of stone lions in front of a building?

? In ancient China, many people liked to place stone lions in front of buildings. In ancient China, there were no such animals as lions. Lions originated in Africa. Then how did they spread to China, and then why did they become stone lions? Shishi is a lion carved from stone, which is often used as an ornament in traditional buildings in China.

During the Han Dynasty, trade between countries became more and more frequent, and it was in the process of trade that we learned about the animal lion. At that time, the envoy of the country of interest was like a lion who paid tribute to our country. He looked very domineering and full of gas, and our emperor was deeply attracted by him.

? Moreover, we find that he is particularly like an ancient god beast, which has a lot to do with Buddhism. You must have heard of Sakyamuni. It was under his leadership that Buddhism was accepted by our country. Sakyamuni said that the lion is the most powerful beast in the world and can never be surpassed, which made people at that time have great yearning for the lion.

In the Tang Dynasty, because this animal was extremely rare, some people carved the image of a lion out of stone and put it at their doorstep to ward off evil spirits, hoping to have good luck. Usually put two stone lions at the door. Although it looks very similar on the surface, there is still a slight gap in fact. They are a male and a female, appearing in pairs.

The lion has a long history, and its function has undergone a long change. From the beginning to ward off evil spirits and make good luck, to the symbol of identity and status later, some people now put stone lions at their doorsteps, but now their function is more for beauty.

The dragon and lion in art, one created by the Chinese nation and the other nationalized by absorbing foreign art, are superior to many animal images and have been used by the Chinese nation for thousands of years. The stone lion carving art not only reflects the auspicious wishes of the working people in our country, but also shows the intelligence and high artistic attainments of the working people in our country, adding luster to the architecture in China.

It can be seen in palaces, temples, pagodas, bridges, mansions, gardens, tombs and buttons in China. But more often, "Shishi" refers to a pair of lions placed on the left and right sides of the gate. In the long historical years, these stone lions accompanied by vicissitudes witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties and became an indispensable ornament in the ancient buildings of China.