Two that I continued to see throughout China were the Imperial Guardian Lions, always shown as a pair (Yin and Yang)- one female (Yin, traditionally on the left) and one male (Yang, traditionally on the right). They are believed to have powerful, mythical powers, and are often seen guarding important entrances such as those of temples, government buildings and palaces. The more recently made ones seen outside restaurants and hotels however, are for more decorative purposes. The male lion holds his paw over a sphere, representing power and protection of the structure behind, while the female holds her paw over a cub to represent the cycle of life, protecting the people inside the building. There is also speculation over the representation of the position of the jaws, as they are often seen with the female's mouth closed and the male's mouth open. The Chinese traditional meaning behind this is that it represents the sacred word 'Om', while some Japanese people interpret it as the female inhaling to represent life, and the male exhaling to represent death.
I also came across a turtle, sculptured wearing armor with the head of a dragon (some American tourists made me chuckle when they referred to it as the "dragon turtle"). I have found various different meanings behind this sculpture when I was researching it, including strength, wealth, health, prosperity and fertility. By combining the dragon symbol of success and power, and the turtle symbol of long life, it traditionally brings good fortune and success to your life.
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