What are the characteristics of the stone lions of each dynasty?

The Han and Tang dynasties are usually strong and mighty; in the Yuan dynasty, the body is long, thin and powerful; in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is more docile; in the Qing dynasty, the carving of lions has been basically finalized. The Qing Dynasty's "Yangzhou Painted Boat Record" states, "The lion is divided into head, face, body, legs, teeth, crotch, embroidered belt, bell, spinning threads, rolling chisel embroidered beads, out of the chisel cubs."

Stone lions not only have different characteristics of the era, there are obvious regional characteristics. In general, the northern stone lion appearance of the atmosphere, carving rustic; southern stone lion more spiritual, lively shape, carving a lot of decoration, the lion cub is not only in the lioness under the palm of the hand, some climbed on the back of the lion, lively and lovely.

It is said that in the Tang Dynasty, the city of Chang'an to "Square" as a residential unit. A city was divided into a number of districts, commonly known as wangs, with wangs in the city and villages on the outskirts. There were walls and gates between the neighborhoods. In order to fix the gate to prevent wind and earthquake, the pillar of the gate was clamped by a pair of big stones. But the bare stone looks too monotonous, the craftsmen will be carved on it lions, unicorns and other auspicious images.

After the Song and Yuan dynasties, the Square was canceled, but the custom was passed down. In order to appear to be a powerful family, large families built a gatehouse at the entrance according to the style of the Square Gate, and the stone pillar in front of the gatehouse gradually evolved into a squatting stone lion.

Expanded

Lion image began in the Han Dynasty, the lion is not all of China's species, it is said that the lion is from the Western region over. According to legend, when Emperor Zhang of Han Dynasty in Eastern Han Dynasty, the country of Dayuezhi in the western region paid tribute to the emperor of China as a gift with a golden lion. Later the lion became a spiritual animal endowed with divine power with the introduction of Buddhism.

Stone lions, as a kind of architectural decoration, are mostly used at the entrance of palaces, temples and temples, yamen (government offices in ancient times), and the residences of high-ranking officials, aristocrats and wealthy merchants. While in modern times, generally stone lions are mostly placed at the entrance of some stores.

Types of stone lions

1, Beijing lion: refers to the stone lions in the Forbidden City, Beijing. Beijing lion shape is generally dignified and atmospheric, is a symbol of imperial power. Beijing lion is the royal guard gateway to ensure peace and quiet of the palace beasts, because the lion is the king of beasts, strong and robust body, the mighty Manganese incomparable, the momentum is very. Rulers believe that the lion can not only avoid evil, but also bring auspicious gas.

2, offer money to the lion: is generally often decorated with a string of ancient money because of the stone lion modeling before the name, it is the southern stone lion among a modeling. Offer money to the lion meaning of wealth, modeling cute and well-behaved, full of spirituality. It is one of the most common folk stone lions, often placed in front of temples or ancestral halls. Offer money to the lion is generally a pair of male and female, the male lion is often decorated with a large string of coins, which means fortune.

3, tennis lion: often called the play ball lion, it is also the most common in the south of a stone lion shape. Tennis lion shape is evolved from the traditional Chinese auspicious motif of the two lions playing ball figure. According to legend, the lion is the king of beasts, a symbol of power and majesty. In the Buddhist classics, the lion is highly respected. The tennis lion is also usually styled as a male and female pair, but both male and female lions are rolling and playing with a large embroidered ball.

4, Chaoshan lion: is circulating in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong Province, a kind of stone lion craft modeling, Chaoshan lion like a lion, but not like a lion, is a kind of exaggerated embellishment of the artistic image. Chaoshan lion lion head high, nose wide mouth, eyes glaring, head and feet all over the curly hair, wearing a mane Road, both in line with the ecology of the lion, but also with the overall exaggeration of coordination.

5, Hong Kong dollar lion: is an imported thing, with the introduction of western banks, first appeared in Hong Kong in front of the bank, so so named. These stone lions are more realistic, the shape and the real lion shape is almost the same. They are generally male and female pair, or standing or standing in the bank on both sides of the door, the general male lion mouth open, meaning fortune. And the female lion with a closed mouth, implying the meaning of guarding wealth.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia - Stone Lions