What is the anniversary of Shishi?

There are usually a pair of stone lions or bronze lions outside the palace gate, which have the function of ward off evil spirits. Because the lion is the king of all animals, it has the functions of "dignity" and "majesty". According to the traditional custom in China, the stone lions are left female and right male. In addition, it can be distinguished from what is under the lion's paw: if there is a ball under the paw, which symbolizes the unity and supreme power of the whole world, it must be a lion. The cubs stand under their paws, symbolizing the continuation of their children and grandchildren. This is a lioness.

On the land of China, there are also southern lions and northern lions. The northern lion is magnificent and mighty, while the southern lion is lively and interesting. There is also the so-called "Three Kings Lion", because the lion is the king of all animals, and the place where the lion crouches is carved with phoenix and peony. Phoenix is the king of birds and peony is the king of flowers, so it is known as the "Three Kings and Lions".

People in China have always regarded stone lions as auspicious things. Among the many scenic spots in China. Stone lions of all shapes can be seen everywhere. A pair of stone lions were placed in front of the gates of ancient official temples and huge houses to guard the town houses. Until modern times, in front of the gates of many buildings, there were still such Shishi town residential nursing homes. Then, how did the custom of closing the gate with stone lions come into being and when did it originate?

Lions belong to feline mammals in zoology. Its male figure is vigorous, his head is big and his face is wide, he is bold in playing with fur and his posture is very fierce. Its origin is not in China, but in Africa, India, South America and other places. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian sent a mission to the Western Regions, which opened up the connection between China and other countries in the Western Regions and enabled the lion to enter China. "The history of the later han dynasty. Biography of the Western Regions: "In the first year of Zhang (AD 87), (an interest country) sent an envoy to offer a teacher (lion) and." It means that an interest country far away in West Asia (equivalent to today's Iran) sent an envoy to Liu Huan, the then Emperor of the Han Dynasty, and sent rare gifts: the lion and Fu Ba (a rare hornless animal). This caused quite a stir in Luoyang, the then capital. From then on, the lion, a guest from afar, began to enter the folk life of the people in China. He was not only treated with courtesy, but also loved by the people in China. He was honored as a "Rui beast" and was promoted to the status of the king of beasts comparable to a tiger. In Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica, it is said that "the lion is the first of all animals when he leaves the western countries." Lions have such good luck in China, and they also benefited from the introduction of Buddhism into China in the Han Dynasty. "Recorded under the Light" said: When Buddha Sakyamuni was born, he made a lion roar: "Heaven and earth are the only ones". Therefore, Buddhist stalks worship lions as solemn and auspicious beasts of God. In the future, Buddhists said that the sound shook the heavens and the earth, and all animals were frightened, so it was called "lion roar". Many temples in Mount Tai, a Buddhist holy place in China, are dedicated to Manjusri Bodhisattva riding a lion. It is said that Manjusri Bodhisattva, who specializes in the wisdom of human alliance, first rode a lion to Wutai Mountain, and Wutai Mountain became the Dojo of Manjusri Bodhisattva's statement. With such majesty, lions began to appear in front of imperial tombs and noble tombs in the Han and Tang Dynasties. But it was just placed in front of the tomb house. As a god beast in Shinto, it is often put together with stone horses. The stone sheep and other stone statues are put together, which plays a deterrent role and makes people feel awe. At this time, the stone lion has not yet entered the folk, and its shape is obviously different from that of the stone lion who later guarded the city gate, that is, there is no stone lion statue below.

In the remains of ancient stone lions in the Han and Tang dynasties, you can clearly see the tall stone pedestal.

Shishi went to the folk and became a gatekeeper beast. This custom was formed after the Tang and Song Dynasties. According to Mr. Cheng's "Interesting Talk about Shishi in Yuan Dynasty" (see Literature and History Knowledge 1998 No.9), most residents in the capital of Tang Dynasty lived in Fangfang, which was a residential area with walls and square doors designated by the government for fire prevention and theft prevention. Most square doors are made into arched doors with Fang's name written on them. Put a pair of big stones at the foot of each square column to prevent wind and earthquake. Craftsmen carve lions, unicorns, sea animals and other animals on big stones, which is both beautiful and auspicious. This is the prototype of guarding the gate with auspicious animals such as stone lions. Since the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Fang withdrew from the historical stage. In order to show off their momentum, some wealthy families simplified the original style of the square door and transformed it into a gatehouse. Like the stone pillars used in the original square gate, the stone pillars are carved with lions and other auspicious animals, and this style has been preserved. This custom is clearly recorded in the article "Analysis of Local Customs in Yuan Dynasty": "In the capital, show officials and taxpayers, and solve the problem. Most lions are cast from pig iron, and the left and right doors are connected, or Bai Shimin is used as mentioned above. " This is the earliest, most detailed and conclusive record of the appearance time of the gatekeeper stone lion in China. It can be concluded that the Yuan Dynasty was the beginning of China's gatekeeper stone lions from the palace to the folk. Most of the stone lions we saw squatted on a pedestal carved by a big stone, which is obviously a relic evolved from the original beryl.

What's the use of putting a stone lion in front of the gate? There are four popular sayings: First, avoid evil spirits and avoid Naji. The ancients thought that stone lions could ward off evil spirits, so they were first used to guard tombs. This kind of spirit beast in people's minds is also called "avoiding evil spirits". In people's folk life, stone lions are not only used to guard the gate, but also set up stone lions at rural intersections, which have the same function as "Shi Gandang", and are used to guard houses, ward off evil spirits, and keep villages safe. Therefore, using stone lions to close the gate can ward off evil spirits and resist the harm caused by monsters, which shows people's psychological requirements for praying for peace. Second, forecast the flood. In folklore, it is said that lions have the function of predicting disasters. It is said that in the event of natural disasters such as floods or land subsidence, the eyes of stone lions will turn red or bleed, which is a sign of impending disaster and people can take refuge in an emergency. Here, the stone lion became a prophet of disaster. Third, highlight the dignitaries. In ancient times, stone lions were often used as gatekeepers of palaces, palaces, offices and luxury houses, which showed the power and dignity of their owners. For example, two pairs of majestic stone lions on the Jinshui River in front of Tiananmen Square in Beijing guard the gate of the imperial city, which embodies the supreme imperial power and inviolability in all directions. Fourth, art decoration. Stone lions are also indispensable decorations in ancient buildings. For example, at the eastern end of Lugou Bridge in Beijing, two large stone lions are used to guard the railings. Not only are stone lions engraved on the China table stigma at both ends of the bridge, but some stone lions also hide a few little lions. These lions are men and women, big and small, with vivid expressions and wonderful workmanship. The smallest lion is only a few centimeters, which is not only numerous, but also unpredictable. Therefore, there is a saying that there are countless lions in Lugouqiao. 1962, Beijing cultural relics workers numbered the stone lions of Lugou Bridge, and finally counted 485 stone lions. Lugou Bridge is famous all over the world for its stone lions, and it has become a masterpiece of architectural art. After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the stone lions often stepped on a "hydrangea" under their paws, and the lioness often stepped on a young lion. There are also paintings and patterns of rolling hydrangeas by lions among the people, which only represent the symbolic significance of entertainment and human love and reflect people's good wishes for peace and harmony.

Nowadays, as a part of China's traditional culture, Shishi has been continued, and its superstitious color is no longer believed.

In ancient times, everything was divided into yin and yang and male and female. The ancients regarded the stone lion as a mascot, so it was natural to divide it into a male lion and a female lion (in layman's terms), not only from the expression, but also from the difference in what the front foot stepped on. The female lion stepped on a lovely little lion, while the male lion stepped on a delicate hydrangea.

Lions are not all species in China. The image of the lion began in the Han Dynasty. It is said that lions come from the western regions. According to legend, during the Zhang period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yue State in the Western Regions presented a golden lion to Emperor China. Later, with the introduction of Buddhism, the lion became a spirit beast endowed with divine power. In the culture of China, the lion is more of a mythical animal than a real animal. Together with Kirin, it becomes the spirit beast of China. Hui Lin, a monk in the Tang Dynasty, said, "Sister-in-law is a lion, and she went out of the Western Regions."

I don't know when the lion became the mascot guarding the portal. And gradually merged with China culture. The shape of the lion has different characteristics in different dynasties. Usually the Han and Tang dynasties were strong and powerful, the Yuan dynasty was slender and powerful, and the Ming and Qing dynasties were docile. By the Qing Dynasty, the sculpture of lions was basically shaped. "Yangzhou Painting Boat Record" (1795) stipulates: "The lion divides its head, face, body, legs, teeth, buttocks, embroidered ribbons, bells, twisted threads, rolled embroidered beads and chiseled young."

There are rules for the placement of the stone lions. Generally speaking, they are male and female in pairs, and they are generally left male and right female, which conforms to China's traditional philosophy of Yin and Yang. The lion placed on the left side of the door is generally carved into the right front paw to play with hydrangea or there is a hydrangea between the two front paws; The lioness on the right side of the door is carved into the left front paw to touch the cub or the cub is located between the two front paws.

The cultural meaning of stone lions has never been unified. One view is that lions are auspicious animals and can drive away evil spirits. The book "A Brief Introduction to the Situation in Beijing" says: "The stone is also real, and the lion thinks it is. It is hard to say that it is not easy for seniors to start a business. "

As a kind of architectural decoration, stone lions are often used in palaces, temples, yamen (ancient government agencies) and at the gates of senior officials, nobles and wealthy businessmen. In modern times, stone lions are usually placed in front of some shops.

Shishi is a lion carved from stone, which is often used as an ornament in traditional buildings 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. But there were no wild lions in ancient China, so when and where did these stone lion carving arts originate? How did you come to China and become a part of China art?

The hometown of lions is in Africa, India, South America and other places. However, the image of the lion has long been known to our ancestors: there is a three-dimensional image of the lion in the exquisite painted prints of Zhou bronzes collected in the Song and Qing Dynasties. It is said that lions come from the western regions. According to legend, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, lions were given as gifts to the emperor of China. With the introduction of Buddhism into China, the lion revered by Buddhism has become a noble and majestic spirit beast in people's minds. China soon learned the carving art of stone lions from India, and the phenomenon of displaying tombs appeared. For example, the stone lion in front of Gaoyi Tomb in Ya 'an County, Sichuan Province is the oldest stone lion in China and a relic of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Therefore, lions appear more as mythical animals in China, and together with Kirin, they become the spirit beasts of China. Hui Lin, a monk in the Tang Dynasty, said, "Sister-in-law is a lion, and she went out of the Western Regions."

In the Tang Dynasty, the stone lion carving art reached its peak. Because of the vivid creative method, the stone lion is exactly like China. The master sculptor in China carved the stone lion magnificently and vividly: his head was curled, his mouth was open, his neck was upturned, his claws were powerful and his expression was domineering. ...

After the Ming Dynasty, the stone lion carving art was not only higher than that of the Tang Dynasty, but also more widely used in people's lives. Palaces, mansions, tombs and even ordinary citizens' houses are guarded by stone lions; Stone lions are carved on the lintel eaves and stone railings as decoration. For example, the world-famous Lugou Bridge, with 140 stigma on both sides, is carved with exquisite and lively stone lions. Various postures, rich expressions, different sizes and vivid sculptures. By the Qing Dynasty, the sculpture of lions was basically shaped. "Yangzhou Painting Boat Record" stipulates: "The lion is divided into parts, face, body, legs, teeth, crotch, embroidered belt, bell, thread, rolling embroidered beads and chisel young." Stone lions generally take Mount Sumi as the base, and there is a brocade shop on the base. Lions have different shapes. They are beautified in China. Their basic form is full of curly hair, magnificent. The shape of the lion has different characteristics in different dynasties: in the Han and Tang dynasties, it was usually magnificent and powerful; In the Yuan Dynasty, the body was slender and powerful; Ming and Qing dynasties were relatively docile.

There are rules for the placement of the stone lions. Generally speaking, they are male and female in pairs, and they are generally left male and right female, which conforms to China's traditional philosophy of Yin and Yang. The lion placed on the left side of the door is generally carved into the right front paw to play with hydrangea or there is a hydrangea between the two front paws; The lioness on the right side of the door is carved into the left front paw to touch the cub or the cub is located between the two front paws.

Famous lions include the lion in front of Tiananmen Square, the lion outside the village altar in Zhongshan Park, the lion in front of Peking University, the iron lion in Cangzhou and more than 400 lions on Lugouqiao Ganglou. As the saying goes, "There are countless stone lions in Lugou Bridge". Before and after Jinshui Bridge in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, there are a pair of big stone lions, left male and right female, beautifully carved. The stone lion on the right has a scar on his abdomen. There are two legends about this scar: First, Li Guozhen, the general of the Ming Dynasty, was chased by Li Zicheng, the leader of the famous peasant rebel army, and hid behind the stone lion. Li Zicheng found that he stabbed it with a sword and accidentally injured the stone lion; On the other hand, when Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, Shishi was destroyed by the invading army.

Besides stone lions, lions have influenced our culture in many ways. The well-known lion dance, that is, "lion dance", was popular all over the country at the latest in the Tang Dynasty and is still popular today.

Lions can ward off evil spirits among the people and are often used as gatekeepers. The lion is also the king of beasts, which shows dignity and majesty. According to the traditional custom, this pair of lions is the left male and the right female, which can also be distinguished from what the lion stepped on. The ball under the hoof symbolizes the unity and supreme power of the whole world, and must be a lion. The little lion stands under his hoof, symbolizing the continuation of his children and grandchildren. This is a lioness. If the stone carving on which the lion crouches is engraved with the phoenix peony, the king of birds and the king of flowers, it is called "the lion of three kings". There are also differences between the southern lion and the northern lion. The northern lion is majestic, while the southern lion is lively and interesting.