Dog in Chinese mythology an apotropaic magic act meant to drive away evil spirits. Paper dogs were also provided for protecting the dead. (Eberhard, 2003: 80) Numerous statuary of Chinese guardian lions exist, which are often called ""Fu Dogs"" ""Foo Dogs"", ""Fu Lions"", ""Fo Lions"", and ""Lion Dogs"". Modern lions are not native in the area of China, except perhaps the extreme west; however, their existence was well known, and associated symbolism and ideas about lions were familiar; however, in China, artistic representations of lions tended to be dog-like. Indeed, "[t]he 'lion' which we see depicted in Chinese paintings and in sculpture bears little
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