🦁 Guardians of History: The Legendary Lions of Longting Park （1）🏯

Where Imperial Majesty Meets Folk Wisdom Perched at the Meridian Gate (The Meridian Gate) of Longting Park in Kaifeng, a pair of weathered stone lions has stood vigil for centuries—one roaring with power, the other cradling a cub. These aren’t mere garden ornaments; they’re living history books carved into sandstone. 📜 Anatomy of a Legend 🎨 ▫️ East Lion (Yang): A male lion trampling a brocade ball, its mane flowing like flames. Note the scar beneath its chin—a 1928 mark from warlord Feng Yuxiang’s sword, inscribed with "Sleeping Lion Awakens, Guard Our People." 🗡️ ▫️ West Lion (Yin): A mother lion nuzzling her cub, her body etched with "Lion from Song Palace, Injured During Qing Transport. Inscribed September 1928." The missing paws? Lost during a 1734 relocation for the Wanshou Palace. 👣 Time Travel Through Stone 🕰️ Ming Dynasty Origins: Crafted as sentinels for the Prince of Zhou’s Residence, their muscular forms blend Song-era realism with Ming dynastic grandeur. Qing Dynasty Drama: Moved to their current spot in 1734, these lions witnessed Kaifeng’s transformation from imperial city to provincial capital. Republican Era Activism: Feng Yuxiang’s 1928 inscriptions turned them into political canvases—a rare fusion of art, war, and propaganda. #KaifengHistory #LongtingPark #StoneLions #CulturalTreasures