Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s3.t1.4

v2.c11.s3.t1.4

The lion is an auspicious animal and has a close tie with Indian Buddhism. It is said that when the Buddha was born, 500 lions came from the snow mountain and served standing at the two sides of the door. Lion dance was already popular in the Central Plains at the time of Three Kingdoms. Lions were worshipped by the Kucha royal. The General Lü Guang of Former Qin Dynasty (352-394) attacked the Western Regions with troops,