the stone beasts inside tainan confucius temple guard ancient cultural relics

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The stone beasts inside the Tainan Confucius Temple guard the ancient cultural relics inside. Royalty Free Stock Photo

The stone beasts inside the Tainan Confucius Temple guard the ancient cultural relics inside.

There are many stone lions guarding the famous Confucius Temple in Tainan. It is said that they can ward off evil spirits and allow people to come and go safely. Stone lions are the most common auspicious beasts in China to ward off evil spirits. Their role in warding off evil spirits can be traced back to the Warring States Period, and became common during the Han and Wei dynasties. The stone lion looks similar to a lion but also looks like a dog. It is often regarded as one of the witchcrafts that prohibit fighting. The functions of stone lions include: warding off evil spirits, predicting floods, showing power, and artistic decoration. It can not only remove feng shui evil spirits, but also enhance the masculinity of the building and symbolize the power of life.