Lions are everywhere!
Even in Charleston.
The King of the Jungle is not roaming the streets, of course.
S/he is merely being used as a decoration all over town.
I laugh whenever I see lions depicted “in the wild” so to speak, of civilization. I’ve written about seeing them in Europe here and here.
Here are photos of them in Charleston, South Carolina.
Guard Lions
They’re everywhere.
They guard entrances to homes.
(Don’t you love the blue faced one before the mailbox?)
They protect gardens and mazes, too.
They like to surprise
Inside historic homes as decorations
This depiction of the lion destroying the dragon/snake, was sitting on a desk inside one of the oldest houses in Charleston.
The symbolism is a reminder that the lion (England) would dominate the dragon/snake (China) during a time of trade.
Charleston has always been one of the major Atlantic sea ports in North America. A lot of trade between colonial America and China came through here.
The same house also included a beautiful fireplace with a brass screen standing before it.
Lions left their mark there, as well, in the fender decoration.
Why lions in Charleston?
Lions are often depicted in statuary to symbolize strength, honor, majesty and power.
“The Lion of Judah,” is a title for Jesus–who is amply represented in the many churches in the city.
The mercantile class looked to England for fashions during Charleston’s antebellum splendor. The lion represented England in art.
Historically, people admire big cats.
Plus, they look splendid lounging around, don’t they?
The only local lion is the Eastern Cougar, eight feet long and weighing around 200 pounds, but they are mostly extinct now.
They don’t look much like the lions you see in Charleston today.
Door Knockers, too
Door knockers are for use and simple decorations–aren’t they?
Or would encountering a lion as you entered a home remind you to honor the owner?
Such a historic town as Charleston, however, is not about to forget it’s most lionized Revolutionary War figure.
Not exactly a cat, but certainly wily: the Swamp Fox.
Tweetables
Spotting lions in Charleston, South Carolina! Click to Tweet
Heraldry, guards and lions in Charleston. Click to Tweet
Lions in Charleston–you can see them all over. Click to Tweet
When I walk the steps in Stillwater, there is a gorgeous home halfway up the stairs with a pair of lions to keep us steppers from entering the premises. I will think of this blog next week when I pass by!
I think it’s funny to see lions everywhere–and I take pictures of them and laugh as they turn up in Georgetown, Charlestown, obscure villages in Sicily, all through the British Isles and even down the street. Rarified humor, I’m sure.