Chinese Foo Dog Names

Using carved stone lions to guard entrances of homes and other buildings has been a tradition in Asian countries like China since 206 BC, and it continues today with the Chinese Foo Dog, which is actually a lion referred to as Shishi. These fur-ocious beasts have are said to have magical powers that protect the inhabitants and their belongings from harm. They also keep negative energy from entering, sort of like a Feng Shui cleansing will do. 

The Chinese Foo Dog lions, or Shishi, are also referred to as Imperial guardian lions, lion dogs, or just Fu Dogs. The Shishi are typically made from stone or marble and are architectural ornaments kept outside the entrances of homes or buildings with one on each side. One of the Shishi is a male with a ball under his foot while the other is usually a female with a cub. 

These Shishi are also used in tombs to protect those who have passed away as they rest. This is a common tradition in Chinese Buddhism and is thought to keep harmful spirits from entering the tombs. This tradition has actually spread in popularity to other parts of Asia such as Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, Korea, and Japan. 

Although these are not real dogs, they are still called Chinese Foo Dogs, and the Chinese Foo Dog breed is actually revered just as the Shishi are. Their thick mane of fur around their head resembles the Shishi’s mane and the Chinese consider these and many other dog breeds to be sacred. The stone lion was first presented to the Han Dynasty by emissaries from Persia and by the sixth century, they were already popular guardian figures. 

The two Shishi are actually considered to be a manifestation of Yin and Yang with the male being Yang, and the female represents Yin. This is a Chinese concept of dualism that describes the opposing forces that are interconnected. The negative and positive or light and dark are supposed to represent the universal cosmology and evens out the good and evil in the world. 

The magical powers of the Shishi are also thought to be a part of the Chinese Foo Dog breed makeup with them being protectors of the home and those who live within. Therefore, having a Chinese Foo Dog is akin to having a guardian angel or magical being who can protect you and your family from evil spirits and other manifestations.