Foo Dogs - No Walking Required
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The Foo Dog is heaped in rich Chinese history and tradition. They are still very popular today, not only in China, but also in other parts of the world. Although many people may not be drawn to Oriental furniture or Oriental collectibles, some are nonetheless attracted to the Foo Dog.

In our home, we have no Orientalia but we do have 5 pairs of Foo Dogs. Possibly it is because we can pat them but never have to walk them - we're not sure. Perhaps it is because they seem to be so shrouded in mystery. A puzzle to be unraveled. Even though we have now learned more about their significance in Chinese history, they still have a tendency to fascinate us every time we look at them.

In ancient China, pairs of Foo Dogs in different sizes were displayed outside the entrance of buildings, temples, tombs and private residences. These dogs are also referred to as Stone Lions, Fu Dog Lions, Temple Lions, Imperial Lions, Buddha Dogs, Buddha Lions, Celestial Dogs and Lions of Korea. To the western world they are simply known as Foo Dogs.

Foo Dogs can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. They were first unveiled in Chinese artwork dating back to 206 BC. They were visible until around 220 AD when they suddenly disappeared from view. They later re-emerged during the Tang Dynasty, 618 AD to 907 AD.

Chinese tradition, past and present, view the lion as an extremely powerful animal that can ward off all sorts of evil. In other words, they are the epitome of "guard dogs." Since Foo Dogs are technically lions, in Buddhism they have always been considered sacred.

Today, they come in many different sizes and colors. They are also made from any number of different materials such as resin, jade, porcelain, etc. However there are many common traits that are found in almost all versions of Foo Dogs.

They usually come in pairs - male and female. Under the female's left paw you will usually find a lion cub lying on its back. Under the male's right paw you will almost always find a sphere. Some believe that the sphere is representative of the earth or the world but we don't know if that is actually the case or just a theory. They have curly hair, opened mouths and large opened eyes. Their faces are almost fiendish looking. They have a threatening air about them which is in keeping with the job they have always had to do - protecting and guarding against all that is evil.

In earlier times, it is believed that the number of curls each Foo Dog had in its mane was representative of the official status of the person the Foo Dog was charged with guarding. The more curls the dog had the more powerful the official. It is also believed that a male food dog was responsible for guarding the structure, such as a building or residence, while a female foo dog was burdened with guarding the inhabitants.

Today Foo Dogs have become somewhat commercialized. They are found outside of Chinese restaurants, hotels and other businesses. They are also mass-produced as souvenirs for tourists. However their marketability in our present culture has not detracted from their original place of importance within the historic and rich Chinese civilization of old.

Every time we go out to a Chinese restaurant, we really relax and enjoy ourselves knowing that we are being safeguarded by the best in the business.

Written by Anne Benedetto, Auction House Talk
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