The Lesera Shishi or foo dogs are the stone guardians of Chinese legend and a traditional ornament for many different types of buildings. Sold as a set of 2, one lion is always female and the other male. The female represents yin and symbolically protects those who dwell in the home she stands sentry, while the male represents yang and protects the home or structure itself. Every detail is symbolic from what they are holding to the position of their mouth. If you look closely, the female has a small pup below her paw, while the male has a ball. The puppy represents nature and nurture and the ball represents the world. Each statue is masterfully crafted from magnesium and hand finished in a gorgeous antique bronze.