Finding lions : a study of guardian lions in Central Hong Kong

Abstract

Since ancient times, guardian lions have played a significant role in human society all over the world. They usually appear as statues, standing in front of architecture as a symbol of guardianship and power. Typically made of stone or bronze, guardian lions not only reflect the beliefs of human, but also represent exquisite craftsmanship of east and west. Hong Kong is a city that is famous of having east meets west culture, and this can be extended to apply on guardian lions. The author has observed that it is common to see a pair of guardian lions in different styles placed at the entrance of temples, commercial buildings, banks, and other important buildings. Yet, these guardian lions are often seen as only a secondary decorative element, not as a symbol that reflects the history or architectural heritage. In conservation, architectural heritage consists of a core element (the main building) and associative elements (the decorative components). However, most of the time, the focus is on the core element and the associative elements that often contain many important historical stories and heritage memories are neglected and not well protected. This dissertation focuses on guardian lions as an associative element of architecture, to establish their significance and how they could be best conserved. The scope of this research includes documentation of the guardian lions found within Central, Hong Kong, in terms of their type, history, stories and memories related to the buildings and Hong Kong. Additionally, this dissertation will recommend how the guardian lions can be interpreted and how they can be best conserved.