英语解析:为什么石狮子对坐在中国银行门前

　　编者按：我们能看到许多银行门口会摆放着石狮子，为什么石狮子对坐在中国银行门前，这个用英语怎么解释呢?我们来看一看英语对石狮子的解析。

　　"Stone lion, in Chinese translation of 石狮子(shí shīzi), is carved out of stone, which is the common ornament in Chinese traditional architecture, such as imperial palace, temple, bridge, mansion, gardens and so on. It often appears in pairs!”

　　You might discover it is very popular in China that a pair of stones lions sitting at the entrance of bank. What does it mean and Why?

　　1. Originated from "HSBC lions" in history

　　Acturally, two lion sculptures can be found guarding many of the HSBC offices around the world today. The first pair of lions was created in 1923 for the new Shanghai office of HSBC. They were soon nicknamed Stephen and Stitt after two senior managers of the bank – Stephen is the roaring lion. Following the popularity of the lions in Shanghai, a similar pair was commissioned in 1935 for the new Hong Kong head office building. They are seen as one of the key symbols of HSBC and give a big influence on other various HSBC buildings around the world.

　　2. Cultural Meanings

　　It is said that the lion was introduced into China in Han Dynasty (206B.C. -220 A .D.) from the Western Region. In Chinese culture, lion is a mythical figure rather than real animal. It is regarded as the divine beast and gradually became the mascot outside the gate, as Chinese people think that lion has powerful mythic protective benefits, it can drive away the evil spirits and keep the fortune as the lion is the king of the animals.

　　3. Related to "Yin\Yang" Philosophy

　　The stone lions are always presented in pairs, one male, one female, reflective of the long Chinese Taoist tradition of the "Yin\Yang" philosophy.

　　The male lion, symbolic of the "Yang", usually has one paw placed upon a ball and tend to have his mouth open. The primary function is guardianship of the structure itself in its solid materialism, and so also other material aspects of the structure such as its solidity and overall prosperity.

　　Apparantly, the female lion is representative of the female power of "Yin". She is usually carved to have a child lion between her paws. This symbolizes her guardianship over the people within the building as the male guards the building itself. By contrast with the male, the female lion is often represented with her mouth closed.

　　4. Related to Fengshui

　　According to "fengshui", correct placement of the lions is important to ensure their beneficial effect. When looking out of a building through the entrance to be guarded, looking in the same direction as the lions, the male is placed on the left and the female on the right. So when looking at the entrance from outside the building, facing the lions, the male lion with the ball is on the right, and the female with the baby lion is on the left.

　　We could tell from these reasons the Chinese lions are intended to reflect the emotion of the animal as opposed to the reality of the lion. This is in distinct opposition to the traditional English lion which is a lifelike depiction of the animal. The claws, teeth and eyes of the Chinese lion represent power. Few if any muscles are visible in the Chinese lion whereas the English lion shows its power through its lifelike characteristics rather than through stylized representation.

　　Look at the stone lions standing in front of the bank, you would understand!

　　Source: wikipedia; chinahighlights.com; topchinatravel.com

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