Etymology
Guardian lions are referred to numerous manner depending on language and context. In Chinese they may be called
- Stone lion (石獅, Pinyin: Shíshī): reference in a secular objective manner
and less commonly:
- Auspicious lion (瑞獅, Pinyin: Ruìshī): respecting reference to the Tibetan Snow Lion or with context to good fortune
- Fortuitous lion (福獅, Pinyin: fúshī): reference in context to good fortune
- Buddha's or Buddhist lion (佛獅, Pinyin: fóshī): reference in a religious context to the lion as protector of Buddha
In Asian cultures:
- In Japan: the lion figures are known as Komainu (狛犬・高麗犬, lit Korea dogs) possibly due to their introduction to Japan through Korea.
- In Myanmar: called Chinthe and gave their name to the World War II Chindit soldiers.
- In Okinawa: similar lion formed statuettes are known as Shisa.
- In Tibet: known as a Snow Lion
Read more about this topic: Chinese Guardian Lions
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