Difference between revisions of "The Lion-A Symbol of Power"
(Created page with "<poem> Almost every country uses certain animals to symbolize one thing or another. Americans, for instance, use the eagle to symbolize freedom and strength.In China, ...") |
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Almost every country uses certain | + | Almost every country uses certain [[Animals]] to symbolize one thing or another. |
| − | Americans, for instance, use the eagle to symbolize freedom and strength.In China, | + | Americans, for instance, use the eagle to symbolize freedom and strength.In [[China]], |
| − | several | + | several [[Animals]] have been given symbolic meaning. The mythical dragon was used by |
emperors to represent their supreme authouity, the crane stands for longevity, | emperors to represent their supreme authouity, the crane stands for longevity, | ||
| − | mandarin ducks for | + | mandarin ducks for [[Love]] and loyalty, and the crow for bad luck. What does [[The lion]] |
stand for, though? | stand for, though? | ||
| − | In China, | + | In [[China]], [[The lion]] is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other |
| − | + | [[Animals]]. It has thus long been used as a [[Symbol]] of [[Power]] and grandeur. It is even | |
| − | believed to offer protection from | + | believed to offer protection from [[Evil]] spinits. That’s why imposing [[Statues]] of |
lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples | lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples | ||
and tombs. In cense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with | and tombs. In cense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with | ||
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Indeed,like images of the dragon,carved lions can be seen almost everywhere | Indeed,like images of the dragon,carved lions can be seen almost everywhere | ||
| − | in China. The most famous carved lions are the pair that guard Tian’ anmen, the | + | in [[China]]. The most famous carved lions are the pair that guard Tian’ anmen, the |
main entrance of the Forbidden City. Several meters tall, these marble lions have | main entrance of the Forbidden City. Several meters tall, these marble lions have | ||
been poised imposingly on the stone plinths for more than 500 years. Visitors to | been poised imposingly on the stone plinths for more than 500 years. Visitors to | ||
Beijing often like to have their pictures taken with these famous landmarks. | Beijing often like to have their pictures taken with these famous landmarks. | ||
| − | Lions can also been found | + | Lions can also been found [[In Tibet]]’s [[Potala]] Palace,though the Tibetan lions |
| − | differ somewhat from those in other parts of China. | + | differ somewhat from those in other parts of [[China]]. |
The biggest lion,however,is an iron one at Cangzhou in Hebei Province. Cast | The biggest lion,however,is an iron one at Cangzhou in Hebei Province. Cast | ||
in the 10th century, it stands more than five meters high and weighs 49 tons. | in the 10th century, it stands more than five meters high and weighs 49 tons. | ||
| − | Chinese lions do not just guard gates.Bridges often feature lion sculptures, | + | Chinese lions do not just guard gates.[[Bridges]] often feature lion sculptures, |
| − | by the | + | by the [[Way]].The balustrades of the 17-arch bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing, |
for instance, are topped with 120 marble lions, no two of them exactly alike.Sone | for instance, are topped with 120 marble lions, no two of them exactly alike.Sone | ||
are menacing, others seem to be peering into the lake. Females have frisky cubs | are menacing, others seem to be peering into the lake. Females have frisky cubs | ||
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a vivid description of it in his Travels. On the top of each balustrade post is | a vivid description of it in his Travels. On the top of each balustrade post is | ||
atleast one stone lion. Many of the bigger ones have small ones on their backs or | atleast one stone lion. Many of the bigger ones have small ones on their backs or | ||
| − | under their bellies. The smallest is no bigger than a mouse.They vary in | + | under their bellies. The smallest is no bigger than a mouse.They vary in [[Posture]]: |
some are squatting, others standing; some lie face downwards, others face up;some | some are squatting, others standing; some lie face downwards, others face up;some | ||
| − | glare with round | + | glare with round [[Eyes]] and stick out their tongues,while others weem to laugh with |
| − | narrow | + | narrow [[Eyes]] as they gaily romp after each other. How many lions are there altoge- |
ther? In the past ,the lions were said to be uncountable, because so many small | ther? In the past ,the lions were said to be uncountable, because so many small | ||
ones are hidden beneath the bellies and paws of the bigger ones and it ones are | ones are hidden beneath the bellies and paws of the bigger ones and it ones are | ||
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overlook a few. But today we know that there are 485 in all. | overlook a few. But today we know that there are 485 in all. | ||
| − | The styles of the lions changed over | + | The styles of the lions changed over [[Time]]. The 1,400-year-old tombs of the |
Liang Dynasty outside Nanjing are famous for their winged lions. Two lions three | Liang Dynasty outside Nanjing are famous for their winged lions. Two lions three | ||
meters high strut proudly forward, head high and chest out. | meters high strut proudly forward, head high and chest out. | ||
In the Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, seated lions were fre- | In the Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, seated lions were fre- | ||
| − | quently used They rest on heavy legs so solid that they seem rooted to the | + | quently used They rest on heavy legs so solid that they seem rooted to the [[Earth]] |
Their style mirrors the strength of the Tang Dynasty itself and they are considered | Their style mirrors the strength of the Tang Dynasty itself and they are considered | ||
sculptural masterpieces. | sculptural masterpieces. | ||
Lions of the Song Dynasty,from the 10th to 13th centuries, had curling manes, | Lions of the Song Dynasty,from the 10th to 13th centuries, had curling manes, | ||
| − | More true to | + | More true to [[Life]] than their predecessors, their features were copied by the stone |
masons of the Ming Dynasty which followed. | masons of the Ming Dynasty which followed. | ||
| − | In the Qing Dynasty, stone lions were placed in temples and | + | In the Qing Dynasty, stone lions were placed in temples and [[Gardens]] In this |
period Chinese sculpture was far more lively. Some lions hold a ball in their | period Chinese sculpture was far more lively. Some lions hold a ball in their | ||
forepaws,others roar.Are you frightened?Well,in folk dances,this cruel and powerful | forepaws,others roar.Are you frightened?Well,in folk dances,this cruel and powerful | ||
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runs after a colorful ball, which bounces to the rhythm of the drums. He cavorts | runs after a colorful ball, which bounces to the rhythm of the drums. He cavorts | ||
about, chases a ball up and down a swaying seesaw, scratches himself, lies down and | about, chases a ball up and down a swaying seesaw, scratches himself, lies down and | ||
| − | pants or even drops off for 40 winks of | + | pants or even drops off for 40 winks of [[Sleep]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
Revision as of 12:56, 23 June 2013
Almost every country uses certain Animals to symbolize one thing or another.
Americans, for instance, use the eagle to symbolize freedom and strength.In China,
several Animals have been given symbolic meaning. The mythical dragon was used by
emperors to represent their supreme authouity, the crane stands for longevity,
mandarin ducks for Love and loyalty, and the crow for bad luck. What does The lion
stand for, though?
In China, The lion is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other
Animals. It has thus long been used as a Symbol of Power and grandeur. It is even
believed to offer protection from Evil spinits. That’s why imposing Statues of
lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples
and tombs. In cense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with
carved lions.
Indeed,like images of the dragon,carved lions can be seen almost everywhere
in China. The most famous carved lions are the pair that guard Tian’ anmen, the
main entrance of the Forbidden City. Several meters tall, these marble lions have
been poised imposingly on the stone plinths for more than 500 years. Visitors to
Beijing often like to have their pictures taken with these famous landmarks.
Lions can also been found In Tibet’s Potala Palace,though the Tibetan lions
differ somewhat from those in other parts of China.
The biggest lion,however,is an iron one at Cangzhou in Hebei Province. Cast
in the 10th century, it stands more than five meters high and weighs 49 tons.
Chinese lions do not just guard gates.Bridges often feature lion sculptures,
by the Way.The balustrades of the 17-arch bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing,
for instance, are topped with 120 marble lions, no two of them exactly alike.Sone
are menacing, others seem to be peering into the lake. Females have frisky cubs
lying on their backs or peeking out from their embrace.
The bridge most famous for its lions, however,is the Lugou Bridge,southwest
of Beijing. Built in the 12th century , this imposing bridge is 266.5 meters long
and 7.5 meters wide and stands on 11 arches. Westerners call it the Marco Polo
Bridge, because the 13th century Italian traveler,Marco Polo,crossed it and wrode
a vivid description of it in his Travels. On the top of each balustrade post is
atleast one stone lion. Many of the bigger ones have small ones on their backs or
under their bellies. The smallest is no bigger than a mouse.They vary in Posture:
some are squatting, others standing; some lie face downwards, others face up;some
glare with round Eyes and stick out their tongues,while others weem to laugh with
narrow Eyes as they gaily romp after each other. How many lions are there altoge-
ther? In the past ,the lions were said to be uncountable, because so many small
ones are hidden beneath the bellies and paws of the bigger ones and it ones are
hidden beneath the bellies and paws of the bigger ones and it was very easy to
overlook a few. But today we know that there are 485 in all.
The styles of the lions changed over Time. The 1,400-year-old tombs of the
Liang Dynasty outside Nanjing are famous for their winged lions. Two lions three
meters high strut proudly forward, head high and chest out.
In the Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, seated lions were fre-
quently used They rest on heavy legs so solid that they seem rooted to the Earth
Their style mirrors the strength of the Tang Dynasty itself and they are considered
sculptural masterpieces.
Lions of the Song Dynasty,from the 10th to 13th centuries, had curling manes,
More true to Life than their predecessors, their features were copied by the stone
masons of the Ming Dynasty which followed.
In the Qing Dynasty, stone lions were placed in temples and Gardens In this
period Chinese sculpture was far more lively. Some lions hold a ball in their
forepaws,others roar.Are you frightened?Well,in folk dances,this cruel and powerful
beast has been tamed into a playful, even mischievous character. Wearing bells, he
runs after a colorful ball, which bounces to the rhythm of the drums. He cavorts
about, chases a ball up and down a swaying seesaw, scratches himself, lies down and
pants or even drops off for 40 winks of Sleep.
