The styles of the lions changed over time. Two lions three meters high strut proudly forward, head high and chest out. In the Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, seated lions were fre- quently used They rest on heavy legs so solid that they seem rooted to the earth Their style mirrors the strength of the Tang Dynasty itself and they are considered sculptural masterpieces. Lions of the Song Dynasty,from the 10th to 13th centuries, had curling manes, More true to life than their predecessors, their features were copied by the stone masons of the Ming Dynasty which followed. In this period Chinese sculpture was far more lively.
Some lions hold a ball in their forepaws,others roar.
Wearing bells, he runs after a colorful ball, which bounces to the rhythm of the drums. He cavorts about, chases a ball up and down a swaying seesaw, scratches himself, lies down and pants or even drops off for 40 winks of sleep.