Foo Dog - Fu Dog Tattoos and Tattoo Designs

Thursday 15th of January 2009 08:46:10 PM [Add To This Article]

Foo Dogs (also known as Chinese guardian lions, Fu Lions and Lions of Buddha) are common representations of the lion in pre-modern Asia. The Foo Dog is believed to have mythical protective powers and is often created in pairs. On the right side of the door, there is a male, who is usually playing with a ball. The female on the left side is paying with cub. The female guards the people within the building and represents the cycle of life. The male is said to guard the structure and represents the "flower of life". Sometimes the male is shown with his mouth open and the female with her mouth close. Some say symbolizes the enunciation of the sacred word "Om". Others say that the male is inhaling, representing life, while the female is exhaling and representing death. Foo dogs are traditionally carved from decorative marble and granite or cast in bronze or iron. Sometimes dogs have a single large pearl in their mouth. The pearl is carved small enough to be free to roll around the mouth, but too large to be removed from the statue. Foo dogs were a frequent sight in front of Imperial palaces, temples and the wealth from around 206 BC until 1911. Today, they are common decorations for supermarkets, hotels and restaurants all over the world.

As a tattoo element, the Foo Dog is often combined with a peony flower. A Foo Dog tattoo symbolizes the characteristics of a lion: strength, authority, a noble character, pride and protection.