<P> The Buddhist version of the Lion was originally introduced to Han China as the protector of dharma and these lions have been found in religious art as early as 208 BC . Gradually they were incorporated as guardians of the Chinese Imperial dharm . Lions seemed appropriately regal beasts to guard the emperor's gates and have been used as such since . There are various styles of guardian lions reflecting influences from different time periods, imperial dynasties, and regions of China . These styles vary in their artistic detail and adornment as well as in the depiction of the lions from fierce to serene . </P> <P> Although the form of the Chinese guardian lion was quite varied during its early history in China, the appearance, pose, and accessories of the lions eventually became standardized and formalized during the Ming and Qing dynasties into more or less its present form . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> A lion - like suanni depicted on the leg of an incense burner </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A sitting lion statue, celadon, 11th to 12th century, Song Dynasty </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A stone shi </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Female guardian lion with her cub at the Summer Palace, Beijing - late Qing Dynasty, but in the Ming style </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Cub Detail . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Standing lion at the Ming Dynasty Tombs Spirit Way </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Imperial guardian lion outside Ngee Ann City in Singapore </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Statue of a mystical Chinese guardian lion in old Beijing, China </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A guardian lion outside Yonghe Temple, Beijing </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The Iron Lion of Cangzhou, cast in 953 AD, is the largest known and oldest surviving iron - cast artwork in China </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A guardian lion in Pingxi District, Taiwan </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A guardian lion of Wen Wu Temple, Taiwan </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Guardian Lion, Brooklyn Museum, New York City </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Guardian Lion in Saint Petersburg, Russia </P> </Li> </Ul> <Li> <P> A lion - like suanni depicted on the leg of an incense burner </P> </Li>

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