About: Foo Dogs by Stephen Elting

This colourful, menacing pair of guardian lions or Fu-shishi is a must-have Chinese Whisper gift!

Imperial Guardian Lions (known colloquially as Foo Dogs) were traditionally placed in front of Imperial palaces, temples, and government offices. Cast in stone, granite, jade or bronze, The guardian lion pair is always displayed as a couple to ensure harmony. Placement is also important according to the tradition and principles of Feng Shui. As you face them, the male lion is placed on the right and the female is displayed on the right. If displayed on each side of a door, the building must be at the lions’ backs so they can see any mischievous spirits approaching. The lions are the manifestation of Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy. The male Foo Dog is holding a ball (a globe) under his right paw symbolising control over his “domain” and protection of his home. The female Foo Dog is holding a cub under her left paw, signifying strong maternal and protective instincts.

The look of the guardian lions was quite varied throughout China’s history, Different styles of the lions can be found reflecting the influences of the different time periods, regions, as well as the personal tastes of the emperors and upper class who had the lions commissioned. The expressions on the lions faces can range between serene and fierce. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the appearance, pose, and accessories of the lions became standardised and, more or less, the lion statues you see throughout Asia today.

The Chinese word “fo” relates to Buddha and “fu” means “prosperity”. It’s common for Europeans and American to call the lions “fu dogs” or “foo dogs”. Westerners began referring to them as dogs through botched translations and the lions’ striking resemblance to the Chinese dog breeds the Chow-Chow or Pekingese. It is important to note that a Chinese person would rarely call these sculptures “dogs” as they have very specific terms in Chinese for each type of this lion or “shi” in Chinese, for example: Shishi- a stone statue of the guardian lions Tongshi- guardian lions cast in bronze The Japanese name for the lions is komainu. They were traditionally carved out of wood and remained inside the temples only. The name komainu itself translates as “Korean dog.” Given the name and the notable horn on the head in ancient versions, it would seem that the komainu, at least, evolved from the Korean haechi. By the fourteenth century, the horn disappeared and both animals of the pair came to be known as komainu. At the same time, the Japanese began making them in stone and using them outdoors.

No matter what you call these guardian statues, the new year is an auspicious time to employ a pair of your own to usher in harmony and prosperity to your favourite space.