The Yong He Gong Lama Temple, Beijing

Ref: 031002-003-14     Date: 02-10-2003

An elderly woman is stroking the head of a stone lion sculpture at the Yong He Gong Lama Temple in Beijing (first built in 1694). The Guardian Lion was considered by the Chinese to be a symbol of power and good fortune, a sacred animal with the power to chase away evil (http://www.cozychinese.com/). Stone lion sculptures were used as temple guardians. The tortoise sculptures symbolise longevity, strength and endurance.