Difference between revisions of "Snow Lion"
(Created page with " The Snow Lion, sometimes also Snowlion, (Tibetan: གངས་སེང་གེ་, Wylie: gangs seng ge; Chinese: 瑞獅; pinyin: ruìshī) is a celestial animal of Tibet. ...") |
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| − | The Lion is a | + | The [[Snow Lion]], sometimes also [[Snowlion]], ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[གངས་སེང་གེ་]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[gangs seng ge]]; {{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[瑞獅]]; pinyin: [[ruìshī]]) is a [[celestial]] [[animal]] of [[Tibet]]. It [[symbolizes]] [[fearlessness]], unconditional [[cheerfulness]], {{Wiki|east}} and the [[earth element]]. It is one of the [[Four Dignities]]. It ranges over the [[mountains]], and is commonly pictured as [[being]] white with a {{Wiki|turquoise}} mane. |
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| − | The | + | :The [[Snow Lion]] resides in the {{Wiki|East}} and represents unconditional [[cheerfulness]], a [[mind]] free of [[doubt]], clear and precise. It has a [[beauty]] and [[dignity]] resulting from a [[body]] and [[mind]] that are synchronized. The [[Snow Lion]] has a youthful, vibrant [[energy]] of [[goodness]] and a natural [[sense]] of [[delight]]. Sometimes the [[throne]] of a [[Buddha]] is depicted with eight [[Snow Lions]] on it, in this case, they represent the 8 main [[Bodhisattva]]-[[disciples]] of [[Buddha Shakyamuni]], the [[historical Buddha]]. {{Wiki|Associations}}: main [[quality]] is [[fearlessness]], dominance over [[mountains]], and the [[earth]] [[element]]. |
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| − | The | + | ==The [[snow Lion]] as national {{Wiki|emblem}} of {{Wiki|Tibet}}== |
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| − | + | From 1909 until 1959 a single [[snow lion]] or a pair of these [[mythological]] [[animals]] were used as national {{Wiki|emblem}} of [[Tibet]] on the coins, poststamps, banknotes and the national [[flag]] of {{Wiki|Tibet}}. | |
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| − | + | ==[[Snow Lioness]] milk== | |
| + | In [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|folklore}} the milk of the [[Snow Lioness]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[Gangs Sengemo]]) contains special nutrients to heal the [[body]] and restore it to [[harmony]]. Some {{Wiki|holy}} {{Wiki|medicinal}} remedies are believed to contain the [[essence]] of [[Snow Lioness]] milk. Her milk is also used to symbolise the [[Dharma]] and its [[purity]], as [[Milarepa]] replies to a man seeking to buy the [[Dharma]] from him with expensive gifts: | ||
| + | "I, the [[snow lioness]] who stays in snowy solitudes, Have milk which is like the [[essential]] [[nectar]]. In the absence of golden cups, I would not pour it in an ordinary vessel." | ||
| − | [[ | + | ==The [[Snow Lion]] in [[Buddhist]] [[art]]== |
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| + | The [[Lion]] is a [[sacred]] and regal [[symbol]] in many {{Wiki|ancient}} cultures from {{Wiki|Egypt}} to the {{Wiki|Greek}} and {{Wiki|Roman}} Empires and further {{Wiki|east}} to {{Wiki|Persia}} and ultimately to [[India]] in the second century. In [[Buddhism]] the [[Snow Lion]] is the [[protector]] of [[Buddha]] and in paintings and {{Wiki|sculpture}} is usually seen as [[holding]] up the [[Buddha's]] [[throne]] (one on the left and one on the right of the [[throne]].) The [[body]] of the [[Snow Lion]] is white while its flowing [[hair]] of mane, tail and curls on {{Wiki|legs}}, is either blue or [[green]]. While most [[Snow Lions]] are [[gender]] [[neutral]] in [[Buddhist art]] there are some that are represented as obviously {{Wiki|male}} and some as obviously {{Wiki|female}}. When represented as a symmetrical pair the {{Wiki|male}} is on the left and the {{Wiki|female}} on the right. Sculptural [[Snow Lions]] are often in repousse metal that has been gilt and painted. | ||
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| + | ==Roar== | ||
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| + | The roar of the [[Snow Lion]] [[embodies]] the [[sound]] of '[[emptiness]]' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Śūnyatā]]), {{Wiki|courage}} and [[truth]], and because of this is often a {{Wiki|synonym}} for the [[Buddhadharma]], the [[Buddha’s teachings]], as it implies freedom from [[karma]] and the challenging call to [[awakening]]. It was considered to be so powerful that just a single roar could [[cause]] seven [[dragons]] to fall from the sky. | ||
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| + | ==[[Tibetan]] [[Lion]] {{Wiki|Dog}}== | ||
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| + | The {{Wiki|Lhasa Apso}} is called the [[Wikipedia:Lhasa Apso|Tibetan Lion Dog]] after its resemblance to the [[Snow Lion]], however it is unknown whether the {{Wiki|dog}} was bred to resemble the [[Snow Lion]] or if the artistic design was influenced by the {{Wiki|features}} of the {{Wiki|dog}}. | ||
| + | {[[Snow Lion]] {{Wiki|Tibetan Mastiff}} | ||
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| + | White [[Wikipedia:Tibetan Mastiff|Tibetan Mastiffs]] are also known as "[[Snow Lions]]." They are one of the rarest {{Wiki|dogs}} in the [[world]], and one of the most {{Wiki|ancient}} of the known breeds. There are only two [[Snow Lions]] outside of {{Wiki|Asia}}. They are massive, regal creatures and have been used for millennia to guard women and children. | ||
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| + | ==[[Attributes]]== | ||
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| + | The [[Snow Lion]] is an {{Wiki|archetypal}} [[thoughtform]] confluence or {{Wiki|personification}} of the [[primordial]] playfullness of '[[joy]]' and '[[bliss]]' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[ananda]]; [[Tibetan]]: dga' ), somewhat energetically comparable to the {{Wiki|western}} [[unicorn]], though without a horn. Though {{Wiki|paradoxical}}, the [[Snow Lion]] does not fly but their feet never {{Wiki|touch}} the ground; their [[existence]] is a playful '{{Wiki|continuum}}' ([[Tibetan]]: [[rgyud]]) of leaping from mountain peak to mountain peak. The energetic [[potency]] ([[wisdom]] or [[shakti]]) of the [[Snow Lion]] is expressed in the attribute of the [[gankyil]]/[[gakyil]] ('[[bliss]]+[[whirling]]' or '[[wheel of joy]]') that the [[Snow Lion]] keep in [[eternal]] play. The [[gankyil]] is a [[vriddhi]] derivation of the [[dragon]]'s fiery '{{Wiki|pearl}} of great price'. The [[gakyil]] is the [[principal]] polyvalent [[symbol]] and [[teaching]] tool of all the [[doctrinal]] trinities of [[Dzogchen]], and is the energetic signature of the [[trikaya]]. The [[gankyil]] is the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Dharmacakra]] of the [[Vajrayana]] [[Ashtamangala]] [[path]] of [[Buddhism]]. | ||
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| + | {{W}} | ||
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| + | The [[Snow Lion]] is the national {{Wiki|emblem}} of [[Tibet]]. The [[Snow Lion]] resides in the [[East]] and represents unconditional [[cheerfulness]], a [[mind]] freed from [[doubt]], clear and precise. It has a [[beauty]] and [[dignity]] resulting from a synchronized [[body]] and [[mind]]. The [[Snow Lion]] has the youthful, vibrant [[energy]] of [[goodness]] and a natural [[sense]] of [[delight]]. Sometimes, the [[throne]] of a [[Buddha]] is depicted with eight [[Snow lions]] on it. In this case, they represent the 8 main Bodhisattva-disciples of [[Buddha Shakyamuni]], the [[historical Buddha]]. {{Wiki|Associations}}: main [[quality]] is [[fearlessness]], dominance over [[mountains]], and the [[earth element]]. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
| − | [http:// | + | [http://www.baronet4tibet.com/symbolism-animals.html baronet4tibet.com] |
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| + | [[Category:Snow Lion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:35, 6 January 2024
The Snow Lion, sometimes also Snowlion, (Tibetan: གངས་སེང་གེ་, Wylie: gangs seng ge; Chinese: 瑞獅; pinyin: ruìshī) is a celestial animal of Tibet. It symbolizes fearlessness, unconditional cheerfulness, east and the earth element. It is one of the Four Dignities. It ranges over the mountains, and is commonly pictured as being white with a turquoise mane.
- The Snow Lion resides in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise. It has a beauty and dignity resulting from a body and mind that are synchronized. The Snow Lion has a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight. Sometimes the throne of a Buddha is depicted with eight Snow Lions on it, in this case, they represent the 8 main Bodhisattva-disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Associations: main quality is fearlessness, dominance over mountains, and the earth element.
The snow Lion as national emblem of Tibet
From 1909 until 1959 a single snow lion or a pair of these mythological animals were used as national emblem of Tibet on the coins, poststamps, banknotes and the national flag of Tibet.
Snow Lioness milk
In Tibetan folklore the milk of the Snow Lioness (Tibetan: Gangs Sengemo) contains special nutrients to heal the body and restore it to harmony. Some holy medicinal remedies are believed to contain the essence of Snow Lioness milk. Her milk is also used to symbolise the Dharma and its purity, as Milarepa replies to a man seeking to buy the Dharma from him with expensive gifts:
"I, the snow lioness who stays in snowy solitudes, Have milk which is like the essential nectar. In the absence of golden cups, I would not pour it in an ordinary vessel."
The Snow Lion in Buddhist art
The Lion is a sacred and regal symbol in many ancient cultures from Egypt to the Greek and Roman Empires and further east to Persia and ultimately to India in the second century. In Buddhism the Snow Lion is the protector of Buddha and in paintings and sculpture is usually seen as holding up the Buddha's throne (one on the left and one on the right of the throne.) The body of the Snow Lion is white while its flowing hair of mane, tail and curls on legs, is either blue or green. While most Snow Lions are gender neutral in Buddhist art there are some that are represented as obviously male and some as obviously female. When represented as a symmetrical pair the male is on the left and the female on the right. Sculptural Snow Lions are often in repousse metal that has been gilt and painted.
Roar
The roar of the Snow Lion embodies the sound of 'emptiness' (Sanskrit: Śūnyatā), courage and truth, and because of this is often a synonym for the Buddhadharma, the Buddha’s teachings, as it implies freedom from karma and the challenging call to awakening. It was considered to be so powerful that just a single roar could cause seven dragons to fall from the sky.
Tibetan Lion Dog
The Lhasa Apso is called the Tibetan Lion Dog after its resemblance to the Snow Lion, however it is unknown whether the dog was bred to resemble the Snow Lion or if the artistic design was influenced by the features of the dog. {Snow Lion Tibetan Mastiff
White Tibetan Mastiffs are also known as "Snow Lions." They are one of the rarest dogs in the world, and one of the most ancient of the known breeds. There are only two Snow Lions outside of Asia. They are massive, regal creatures and have been used for millennia to guard women and children.
Attributes
The Snow Lion is an archetypal thoughtform confluence or personification of the primordial playfullness of 'joy' and 'bliss' (Sanskrit: ananda; Tibetan: dga' ), somewhat energetically comparable to the western unicorn, though without a horn. Though paradoxical, the Snow Lion does not fly but their feet never touch the ground; their existence is a playful 'continuum' (Tibetan: rgyud) of leaping from mountain peak to mountain peak. The energetic potency (wisdom or shakti) of the Snow Lion is expressed in the attribute of the gankyil/gakyil ('bliss+whirling' or 'wheel of joy') that the Snow Lion keep in eternal play. The gankyil is a vriddhi derivation of the dragon's fiery 'pearl of great price'. The gakyil is the principal polyvalent symbol and teaching tool of all the doctrinal trinities of Dzogchen, and is the energetic signature of the trikaya. The gankyil is the inner wheel of the Dharmacakra of the Vajrayana Ashtamangala path of Buddhism.
Source
The Snow Lion is the national emblem of Tibet. The Snow Lion resides in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind freed from doubt, clear and precise. It has a beauty and dignity resulting from a synchronized body and mind. The Snow Lion has the youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight. Sometimes, the throne of a Buddha is depicted with eight Snow lions on it. In this case, they represent the 8 main Bodhisattva-disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Associations: main quality is fearlessness, dominance over mountains, and the earth element.
