Why Do We Find Stone Lions Outside Chinese Buildings & Chinatowns? 《为什么在中国建筑和唐人街门口会有石狮子？》 Chinese guardian lions, known as “foo dogs” in Western countries, are famous symbols of traditional Chinese culture. These stone statues are usually placed in pairs at the entrances of palaces, temples and gardens. They carry deep cultural meaning. Guardian lions have a history of more than 1,700 years. They came to China with Buddhism. People believed they could protect people and bring peace. Chinese guardian lions are not real lions. They are works of art created from people’s imagination. One pair includes a male lion and a female lion. The male lion’s paw rests on a silk ball, which stands for authority and unity. The female lion touches her cub, symbolizing family and new generations. Today we can see stone‑lion statues around the world, including in many Chinatowns. Many foreigners like their appearance, but few know their full cultural story. These stone lions are a wonderful window into Chinese traditional culture. 1. Where are Chinese guardian lions usually placed? A. Inside bedrooms B. At building entrances C. On mountain tops 2. What does the cub under the female lion’s paw stand for? A. Family and new generations B. Wealth and treasure C. Power of the country 3. Which sentence is correct? A. Chinese guardian lions are real African lions B. Guardian lions have a history over 1,700 years C. Every stone‑lion pair has two male lions