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
Li Shishi Dynasty poet Chao Chongzhi described Li Shishi's dancing and singing talents as follows: "Watch her dance to "Nichang Yuyi Qu", listen to her recite / sing "Yushu Houting Hua"." (看舞霓裳羽衣曲，聽歌玉樹後庭花) Southern Song era poet Zhu Dunru (朱敦儒; 1081-1159) wrote: "Performing an interpretation of "Yangguan" in another tone and style, in the previous dynasty only Madam Li (Li Shishi) was capable of doing that." (解唱《陽關》別調聲，前朝惟有李夫人) Li Shishi Li Shishi was a courtesan (角妓 / 角伎) in Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty, and Emperor Huizong was a regular client of hers. She fled to Zhejiang or Hunan after the Jingkang