There are bronze or stone lion statues guarding the Forbidden City. These statues symbolize protection, strength, power, and authority, making lions the highest-ranking of all mythical creatures. The lion statues always appear in pairs: the female lion is on the left, and the male lion is on the right. There are seven pairs of bronze lions in the Forbidden City.

 

 The male lion rests its right paw on an embroidered ball, symbolizing supreme power, authority, dignity, and national unity. The female lion on the other hand places its left paw on a lion cub, representing prosperity, growth, and fertility.