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Guardian Lion
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Lion sculptures like this example are often found at the entrance to Buddhist temples in China. It may seem as if they are there to protect the temple. Lions also have had strong associations with Buddhism since the religion’s origin; the dharma, or Buddhist doctrine, is said to be spread through his roar.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineGuardian Lion, c. 600. China, Tang dynasty (618–907). White marble; overall: 78.8 cm (31 in.); base: 49.6 x 41.8 cm (19 1/2 x 16 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1965.473
