It’s always interesting to see what sort of “guardians” people have in front of their homes. Of course, there were the German shepherds from a few weeks ago.
I’m not exactly sure what these are – Chinese lions, maybe?
I’ve seen plenty of more traditional lion guardians.
That doesn’t mean those lions can’t be a bit whimsical.
Some closeups of the lions above, because their expressions made me laugh:
These were rather small lions above a door:
Turtles – not quite as common…
And what the heck are these, anyway? Guardian fruit baskets?!
“I have to say – I’m offended that I haven’t been asked to pose for a guardian statue! My ferocity would be perfect.” -Mayhem
Aw May, you’re too easily distracted. A little bit of catnip or stripey socks and anyone can get past you 😉
Interesting pictures. Especially since such statues are quite rare in Denmark… I think we find them too “American” maybe 😉
I might concur with Marina… I suppose the fine felines as guardians wouldn’t be too great, as they either could be distracted… or maybe just leave if it didn’t suit their business at the moment…
Hope you had a great weekend.
That first pair is really weird! I like the looks on the faces of the ones you did close ups of.
Oh May, you are just too cute to be scary!
Mayhem is so cute.
interesting pictures Chris!
Those *are* odd expressions for guardians.
But no one would come to visit your Mommy at all if you were the guardian, May! You’re too ferocious!
There is a house down the road from us that has two pigs at the end of their driveway. I have always liked those pigs.
Dave wants lions – and a gate – at the end of our driveway. He has for a long time. Me? Not so much.
The first picture looks to be of Foo Dogs (Fu Dogs) (Chinese lions). 😉
Mayhem and Chaos are living guardians…who needs statues!?!
Yeah, my guys would be opening the door and welcoming them in.
I always thought the Chinese statues in the first picture were dragons…
Fun pictures. I thought of you the other day because I had time between meetings and was over in uptown so I walked Lake of the Isles. I may have even seen a guardian or two.
Oh, yeah, Mayhem, your terminal cuteness would deter even the most hardened criminal. Not.
We have turtles. Mostly because we have real turtles inside so what better to use to “guard” our house.
What an interesting photo shoot. I will pay closer attention to what people have here.
when chaos and may pass on, i hope your considering having their likeness guard your doors
The figures in the first photo are Fu Dogs–which are actually lions. You can read about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_guardian_lions_of_China
Hmmm… I wonder if I could get my hands on some kitty statues…..
yea – sleeping lions. Why not just say “Hey, c’mon in. Nothing bad can happen up here at this door!”
I think there’s still a barbie on the roof and people have to meander through bicycles, balls and miscellaneous kid fodder to make it to our front door. This will have to suffice for guardians for us. Funny thing is, these items seem to keep people at bay just fine. May, I think you are very furrocious.
I rather like that sleeping lion! But I’m sick and wrong that way.
Maymaymay, I think you’re about as protective as meow-choo is. 🙂
I like the fruit baskets! Hee.
I’m not sure about the first one. They do look Asian inspired, but more like Chinese Dog statues.
We’ve got three pigeon poop stained planters as our guardians. Maybe we need a lion to keep the pigeons away.
Yes — they are Fu dogs. There’s a whole collection of them at Allerton Park, outside of Champaign, IL.
And I think how well May did would depend on what she was protecting!
Love the lions! Including the black one at the end!
I have a pair of Fu ‘dogs’ — but small; blue-glazed sculptures, on the catch-all chest of drawers as you come into our house. So they do protect our house — from the inside. I’m glad to know from the wiki article which side the male guardian should go on. But I was informed a little differently from the article: I was told the globe under his paw represents the world, (not a ball, or the ‘flower of life’) and the cub under her paw the family.
I like the idea of guardian pigs….
Chris- It’s a fine line between good taste and being pretentious. It depends on the house- but I like the faces on the lions, and the turtles were nice.
I’m enjoying this “Chris’s Tour of the Neighborhood” series.
The guardian fruit baskets protect the occupants from scurvy. lol.
May, in that pose, you look like BAST. As a result, you’d make an excellent guardian model!
(((hugs)))
Those are Fu dogs in the first picture.
I’m sure someone has already said this but the fruit is probably 😉 a Monty Python reference – Self Defense against fresh fruit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_Defence_Against_Fresh_Fruit
I’ve seen the guardian fruit baskets before, but the turtles are a new one for me!
I love the resting lions. They look like they wish something exciting would happen, and it never does, so what’s the point?
What kind of fruit was in the baskets? Pineapple is a traditional welcome symbol. I’m not exactly sure why. I’m sure some of your readers would know. They are often portrayed in guest rooms, I think.
We had a guardian donkey (don’t ask me, it wasn’t my idea) but our multitude of guardian kitties knocked him over with too many rubs, and so no more donkey…
I’d say purrocity for you Mayhem!
I like the expression on the sixth photo – looks like a kitty cat asleep on the windowsill…
Yep, Fu dogs. They are everywhere in Okinawa; we brought back a pair of Fu dog carved bookends which have been protecting my bookshelf very effectively for many years.
May would make a GREAT guardian against the Addi’s that could infiltrate your home!
You would need two Mayhems to have a proper set 😉 The turtles are so funny!
Guardian fruit baskets! The best defense against home invasions. Better than the lion that looked like he just woke up.
I agree with Mayhem. She would make an excellent model for a guardian statue.
Heheh.. Guardian fruit baskets. I guess they’re hoping you’re hungry. I think I would want guardian turtles. They would go with my solar turtle garden light. 🙂
But May, you’re already a guardian.
Yeah, our guardian has curly brown fur and sits in the front window, watching everything!
Be NICE. Lions are native to Africa, so it’s not like the Chinese ever actually saw one, ya know. You should see the silver tigress found in an Anglo-Saxon tomb. THAT was creative.
Dude, attack bananas are scary!
So no hippos then? Damn. I was hoping.
Foo dogs for sure in that first one –
Guardians seem to be a Minnesota phenomenon, as I hardly ever see any here – be I think, in regard to the last photo, I need me some cat stautes!
I like the whole theme thing.