The reason for this is the following:
It is said that lions come from the western regions. According to legend, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, lions were given as gifts to the emperor of China. With the introduction of Buddhism into China, the lion revered by Buddhism has become a noble and majestic spirit beast in people's minds. China soon learned the carving art of stone lions from India, and the phenomenon of displaying tombs appeared. For example, the stone lion in front of Gaoyi Tomb in Ya 'an County, Sichuan Province is the oldest stone lion in China and a relic of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Therefore, lions appear more as mythical animals in China, and together with Kirin, they become the spirit beasts of China. Hui Lin, a monk in the Tang Dynasty, said, "Sister-in-law is a lion, and she went out of the Western Regions."
In the Tang Dynasty, the stone lion carving art reached its peak. Because of the vivid creative method, the stone lion is exactly like China. The master sculptor in China carved the stone lion magnificently and vividly: his head was curled, his mouth was open, his neck was upturned, his claws were powerful and his expression was domineering. ...
After the Ming Dynasty, the stone lion carving art was not only higher than that of the Tang Dynasty, but also more widely used in people's lives. Palaces, mansions, mausoleums and even ordinary citizens' houses are guarded by stone lions; Stone lions are carved on the lintel eaves and stone railings as decoration.