Unique lion statues and Longmen Grottoes

Updated: 2015-11-03

Longmen Grottoes - the treasure house of ancient Buddhist cave art is on the most popular search item, again. Only this time, the star is a cute lion statue of the grottoes.

Left: A visitor takes photo of a lion statue in Longmen Grottoes. Right: Three young girls pose before the lion statue in Longmen Grottoes. [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

The charmingly naïve lion is located at the south end of Longmen West Hill. It has round and slightly closed eyes. The lion stretched one of its paws in front of chest with the fleshy palm facing outward.

It looks like the lion is waving hand to welcome the tourists.

A photo of the little lion statue at the south end of Longmen West Hill [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

Unlike the traditional majestic and fierce image of the king of the forest, this lion statue is cute and cheerful.

Significantly, the image of lion has been used in art creations as early as 5,000 years ago, by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia and the Egyptians along the Nile. Although those carvings on the cliffs appeared primitive, they embody mankind’s longing for graphic arts and love for the animal world.

According to historical records, the earliest records of lion in China can be dated back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220), when the Prince of Parthia paid tribute to the Han with lions.

The lion has always been viewed as an auspicious animal in Chinese culture. They are believed to be able to exorcise the evil spirits. There are around one thousand lion carvings at the Longmen.

The followings are the editor’s pick among them.

A lion carving at the Liushi Cave at West Hill of Longmen is believed to resemble the Simba in the animated cartoon series The Lion King. [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

The image of Buddha, riding a lion in Longmen Grottoes and its sketch [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

The image of a standing lion in Longmen Grottoes [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]