Chinese guardian lions Chinese guardian lions Chinese guardian lions or Imperial guardian lions, often miscalled "Foo Dogs" in the West, are a common representation of the lion in imperial China. Chinese guardian lions are sometimes referred to in English as shishi, from the Chinese shí shī (), which refers specifically to lion sculptures in stone. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, subsequently spread to other parts of Asia including, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos and Singapore. Since the introduction of the lion symbolism during the Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 220) from
Ching Ling Foo Ching Ling Foo Ching Ling Foo () was the stage name of the Chinese magician Zhu Liankui (,1854–1922). He is credited with being the first modern East Asian magician to achieve world fame. Born in Beijing, Ching Ling Foo studied traditional Chinese magic and was a well-respected performer in his homeland. During a typical performance, he stunned the audience by breathing smoke and fire or producing ribbons and a pole from his mouth. One of his sensational tricks had Foo using a sword to cut the head of a serving boy off at the shoulders. Then, to the amazement of