History Main / AsianLionDogs

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': Three examples, all of them pure Fire-type

Chinese guardian lions, also termed stone lions, lion dogs, foo/fu lions/dogs, temple lions, temple dogs, ''shíshī'' ("stone lion") or ''tóngshī'' ("bronze lion"), are a traditional Chinese architectural motif in the form of large stone or metal statues of crouching leonine beasts typically placed in pairs at the entrance of important buildings, such as palaces, temples, and tombs, under the belief that they will protect their post from spiritual and physical harm. They [[PortalStatuePairs traditionally come in pairs]], one holding a ball under one paw and the other with a cub on its back. They are intended to resemble lions and referred to as such in Chinese and neighboring languages, but their stylized appearance has led Western observers to mistake them for dogs as well.

** Growlithe and Arcanine, Pokémon resembling stout, maned, and tiger-striped beasts with both canine and feline traits, are based on Japanese iterations of the temple lion statues such as the shisa and komainu. They're noted to be very brave and extremely loyal to their trainer, and very territorial in the bargain; Growlithe in particular will fearlessly face down anyone threatening their territory or trainer, regardless of their strength or size. In earlier editions, [[EarthDrift which tend to be more cavalier about referring to real-life places and things]], Arcanine is also described as being from China; later generations change this to "the East".

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'': The Shiisaa (pictured above) has been a recurring monster that the party can recruit. They resemble both dogs and lions and are described as holy beings said to protect against ill luck and evil spirits. Barong, a Balinese mythology figure and the eternal enemy of the WickedWitch Rangda, is also reminiscent of a lion dog.

Chinese guardian lions, also termed stone lions, lion dogs, foo/fu lions/dogs, temple lions, temple dogs, ''shíshī'' ("stone lion") or ''tóngshī'' ("bronze lion"), are a traditional Chinese architectural motif in the form of large stone or metal statues of crouching leonine beasts typically placed in pairs at the entrance of important buildings, such as palaces, temples, and tombs, under the belief that they will protect their post from spiritual and physical harm. They traditionally come in pairs, one holding a ball under one paw and the other with a cub on its back. They are intended to resemble lions and referred to as such in Chinese and neighboring languages, but their stylized appearance has led Western observers to mistake them for dogs as well.

** ''VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus'' introduces a Hisuian regional variant of Growlithe with a fluffier, rounder mane, making them look even more like the lion dog statues that originally inspired their design. Also alluding to this inspiration, Hisuian Growlithe are dual Fire/Rock typing (as opposed to the pure Fire-type regular Growlithe).

* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'': The [[https://saintseiya.fandom.com/wiki/Lionet_Cloth Lionet Cloth]], based on the constellation of Leo Minor (Little Lion), represents it.

* ''Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzilla'': King Shisa (often Anglicized as "Caesar", much to audience confusion) is a {{Kaiju}} based on the Shisa, the Okinawan versions of these. He's a stony, lion-like guardian entity who is awakened from his slumber by a {{Miko}} to protect the world from Mechagodzilla. King Shisa's basis in Okinawan culture is heavily emphasized, and the movie explores -- as much as a ''Showa'' era Godzilla movie can, anyway -- the historical tension between Okinawa and the rest of Japan.
* In Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings the mythical creatures in Ta Lo include a pair of lion dogs that fight alongside the human villagers.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'':
** Foo creatures are spirits native to Nirvana that resemble regular animals with humanoid faces; every species of animal in existence has a foo counterpart, although dogs and lions are the most common. They can turn themselves into statues and back at will, and remain in a petrified state as long as they please.
** Guardian beasts, introduced in Second Edition, are a type of warden spirits bonded with a carved stone statue, which remains immobile during the day but animates after nightfall to patrol its assigned territory. Stone lions are by far the most common type of these beings, although the Tian-Min people create doglike statues instead and the holy sites of the vulpine goddess Daikitsu are protected by stone foxes. Regardless of type, these guardians are steadfastly honorable and dedicated to their wards, protecting them even if they become abandoned and ruined, and are known to give cryptic omens and warnings to those living in the buildings they protect.

* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}:'' Siesamon is a Digimon based on it. According to its profile, it acts like a mix of dog and (very large) cat - fiercely loyal to its Tamer, but also prone to lounging around in any sunbeam it can find.

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'': The Shiisaa (pictured above) has been a recurring monster that the party can recruit. They resemble both dogs and lions and are described as holy beings said to protect against ill luck and evil spirits. Barong, the eternal enemy of the WickedWitch Rangda, is also reminiscent of a lion dog.

** Lion dogs are lesser gods who serve Heaven as guardians, watching over certain temples and tombs and things that the gods want protected for later use. However, many have turned DirtyCop out of resentment and boredom, having realized how thankless their job is in the corrupt bureaucracy of Heaven.

[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_shiisa.png]]]]

Chinese guardian lions, also termed stone lions, lion dogs, foo/fu lions/dogs, temple lions, temple dogs, ''shíshī'' ("stone lion") or ''tóngshī'' ("bronze lion"), are a traditional Chinese architectural motif in the form of large stone or metal statues of crouching leonine beasts typically placed in pairs at the entrance of important buildings, such as palaces, temples, and tombs, under the belief that they will protect their post from spiritual and physical harm. They traditionally come in pairs, one holding a ball under one paw and the other with a cub on its back. They are intended to resemble lions and referred to as such in Chinese and neighboring languages, but the stylized appearance of the statues has led Western observers to mistake them for dogs as well.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog and sometimes CatsAreMagic. See also BakenekoAndNekomata and ManekiNeko for the feline-like creatures prevalent in East Asian cultures, and KIngOfBeasts for another positive portrayal of lions in fiction. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock and SheduAndLammasu for Western and Middle Eastern cases, respectively, of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog and sometimes CatsAreMagic. See also BakenekoAndNekomata and ManekiNeko for the feline-like creatures prevalent in East Asian cultures. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock and SheduAndLammasu for Western and Middle Eastern cases, respectively, of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Three examples, all of them pure Fire-type

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog and sometimes CatsAreMagic. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock and SheduAndLammasu for Western and Middle Eastern cases, respectively, of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock and SheduAndLammasu for Western and Middle Eastern cases, respectively, of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

** Growlithe and Arcanine, Pokémon resembling stout, maned, and tiger-striped beasts with both canine and feline traits, are based on Japanese iterations of the temple lion statues such as the shisa and komainu. They're noted to be very brave and extremely loyal to their trainer, and very territorial in the bargain; Growlithe in particular will fearlessly face down anyone threatening their territory or trainer, regardless of their strength or size. In earlier editions, which tend to be more cavalier about referring to real-life places and things, Arcanine is also described as being from China; later generations change this to "the East".

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'': The Jaxis from the Sand Kingdom count. You'll only find one that moves and talks, but that one refers to the statues as his family, so maybe they're all alive.