The chinese lions and placement

[moon88]

Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that the chinese lions should only be kept near the main door. And if they are kept any where else they bring bad. Is it true. What about miniature chinese lions. Can they be kept in display cabinet. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
1. Traditionally, it is common to find a pair of Lions guarding each side of a main entrance in China.
2. Here, many Chinese especially overseas Chinese have followed this belief and placed similar sets of lions on both sides of their main door.
3. One good example is the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank, where you find two bronze statues on each side of the main entrance.
4. While in China, these statues are carved in stone. But since Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank is in the Banking area (Metal element) it thus use Metal (bronze) lions instead of stone ones.
5. Usually, these lion guardians are simply statues and serves more to give an impression (to human beings) rather than mystical or magic in them.
These are just ordinary carved rock like any other objects.
6. In my opinion, it is perfectly ok to keep a pair of small versions of the lions as decorate pieces.
7. It is equally found on top of Chinese carved seals (used as signatures).
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/20/00 2:34:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that the
chinese lions should only be
kept near the main door. And
if they are kept any where
else they bring bad. Is it
true. What about miniature
chinese lions. Can they be
kept in display cabinet.
Thanks.