Foo Dog Statues Guardian lions or Imperial guardian lions, are commonly referred to as "Foo Dogs" in the West. Statues of guardian lions which have traditionally stood in front of Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, Buddhist temples, and homes of the wealthy, are believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. Pairs of guardian lion statues are still powerful decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to homes, restaurants, hotels, temples and gardens, with one sitting on each side of the entrance. The lions are usually depicted in pairs and when used as statuary, the pair typically consist of a male resting his paw upon an embroidered ball (representing the sphere of the earth) and a female restraining a playful cub that is on its back (representing nurture).
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