Home-Guarding Exorcist: Tiger 虎 hǔ
Tiger occupies an important place in traditional Chinese auspicious animals. Its status is only second to the dragon. It was written in Interpretation of Qian in the book named Zhouyi (also known as the Book of Change or Yi Jing) that cloud is with the dragon, while the wind is with the tiger. The dragon that could fly in the sky and the tiger that could run on the ground became a symbol of luck and authority.
tiger warrior 虎将（hǔ jiàng）
In the view of the ancient Chinese, tiger the feline creature is mighty and brutal. It was feared and hated by people but also respected and admired. In ancient times, brave generals were praised as brave as the tiger; people who are full of vigor and vitality are known as energetic as the tiger and as talented as the tiger, smart kid are described as having a tiger head and a tiger brain. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Song Dynasty (960-1279), squires close to the emperor were renowned as tiger warriors.
Tiger Tally 虎符(hǔ fú)
Tiger Tallies were separated into two pieces, one held by the emperor, the other given to a military commander as a symbol of imperial authority and ability to command troops.
paint a tiger on the door
In Eastern Han Dynasty people believe that if you paint a tiger on the door, even the ghosts would not dare to get into the room. Tiger was used as mascot to exorcise evils and dispel disasters. Thus tiger ornaments can often be seen on bronze wares and constructions. Besides, tiger was regarded as guardian of children. Thus, parents would give their children tiger-head shoes, tiger-head hats,and tiger-head pillows to help their children grow up healthily under the protection of tiger.
虎头帽hǔ tóu mào
tiger-head hat
虎头枕hǔ tóu zhěn
tiger-head pillow
虎头鞋hǔ tóu xié
tiger-head shoes
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虎符hǔ fú
tiger tally
古时虎符会被分为两半.
Gǔ shí hǔ fú huì bèi fēn wéi liǎng bàn.
In ancient times tiger tallies were separated into two pieces.
朝代 cháo dài
dynasty.
他写了一本书，揭开了这个朝代神秘的面纱
Tā xiě le yì běn shū ， jiē kāi le zhè ge cháo dài shén mì de miàn shā.
He wrote a book, revealing the mysteries of this dynasty.
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