Lions Guarding the Gate
via flickr; Lion in the Forbidden City, OZinOH via flickr /Artwork: designslinger]
I was doing some online research and I came across a picture of Chicago's Art Institute
with the two majestic lions standing on either side of a very grand staircase, and I started thinking about the use of lions as sentries guarding structures around the world.
The most famous and recognized lion sentry, is the 4,000-year-old Great Sphinx of Giza.
The lion bodied/human headed statue is placed in that position to guard against the evil spirits invading the final resting place of the Pharaohs. The Chinese also believed that the mighty lion, especially a pair of them, would protect tombs, official buildings and temples, and scare away angry demons.
at the New York Public Library, baslow via flickr; Lion resting at the base of Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square,
London, galongi via flickr /Artwork: designslinger]
The mythology turned into a tradition, and lions started showing up at the entrances of
17th century royal palaces, to the entry porticoes of large mansions in the 19th century. They were particularly popular with the designers of museums, libraries and large civic monuments. From the heroic statue of Philip IV in Madrid's Plaza de Oriente, to Nelson's Column in London's Trafalgar Square, the reclining bronze lion sits proudly, observing and keeping watch over the landscape. While the New York Public Library's lions, "Patience" and "Fortitude," rest on large blocks of stone keeping an eye on the parade passing by. They stand guard over the knowledge contained within the building's walls. After all, knowledge is power, and needs protecting.
FVinSC via flickr; Art Institute lion with "an attitude of defiance," and football helmet, celikins via flickr /Artwork:
designslinger]
Then we have the pairs of lions who stand while on duty, ready to spring into action if
needed. There they are in stone, at the steps of the Feldherrnhalle in Munich, and in bronze at the Art Institute. I just wonder what those two big cats perched at the Art Institute's steps, think of the football helmets they have to wear on their heads during a championship season.
At sundown this evening Passover begins. To all our friends who observe the 7 or 8 days of
Pesach, we send our best wishes.
Posted by designslinger at 4/8/2009 5:00 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Ephemera, History
Tags: New York Public Library Forbidden City Sphinx Lions Chicago's Art Institute Munich's Feldherrnhalle
Categories: Architecture, Ephemera, History
Tags: New York Public Library Forbidden City Sphinx Lions Chicago's Art Institute Munich's Feldherrnhalle
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