What does a Japanese foo dog symbolize?

Guardian lions, also known as komainu, shishi, or foo dogs, are intimidating, mythical, lion-like creatures seen across a breath of art forms, ranging from architecture to tattoos. As they symbolize prosperity, success, and guardianship, they’re full of meaning—which has made them popular in Western art too.

What is a foo dog dragon?

By: Marcia Chou. Last Updated: 2019-4-1. These stone foo dogs are a reproduction of the ones. standing guard in front of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. Majestic, imposing, and intimidating, the foo dog has gone on to become one of China’s most iconic mythological creatures.

Is Fu Dog a dragon?

Foo dogs are actually lions. They originated in China, shi, meaning lion or shishi or stone lion. Yet they resemble the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu which led them to be called foo dogs (or fu dogs) in English.

What does a foo dog symbolize?

The Foo Dog is a symbol of strength, power, and protection. In feng shui, it is believed that the foo dog can help to protect your home or business from negative energy. It is also used as a feng shui enhancer, improving luck, health, and wealth in one’s space. Like the Pixiu, Foo Dogs are also male and female.

What does a foo dog and Samurai tattoo mean?

Foo dogs are strong and courageous too, capable of defending a building against the enemy. Therefore, a foo dog and samurai tattoo symbolize protection against bad guys and means that you yourself are capable of defending those who you love. Choosing a style for your tattoo is always a fun step in the tattoo process.

What is a foo dog (komainu)?

The Foo Dog (Komainu) statues started to appear in Japan during the Nara period (710-794) and weren’t always carved with the distinguishable traits (i.e. ball and cub) in which we could tell the male and female apart. Instead, one lion would have a closed mouth while the other had an open mouth.

Are foo dogs meant to be a pair?

Foo dogs are meant to be a pair. Foo dogs are symbolic, protective statues, and they are designed in pairs — one is female, the other is male. The female represents yin, and symbolically protects the people dwelling inside the home, while the male statue, representing yang, protects the structure itself.