Tigers

Throughout Asia tigers represent courage, expel evil and are used as protective symbols. The stripes on a tiger’s forehead resemble the Chinese character for king (wang), so young boys ware shoes, hats and clothing containing embroidered wang characters, tiger claw or tooth charms and play with toy tigers. As a male yang symbol, the tiger represents courage, could dispel demons, and also appeared on clothing, collars, pillows, and assorted jewelry. The tiger is one of the twelve animals of the zodiac, and in Neolithic times the white tiger was associated with the direction west and the autumn season. In Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka, the tiger is a sacred animal, protector of Buddhism faith and symbolizes bravery, strength, and perseverance. Tiger images were used as protective talismans throughout Asia. Our Burmese dancer wearing a tiger dance mask is a sacred animal that protects the Buddhist faith and symbolizes bravery, strength and perseverance. However, since it is a mythical Buddhist animal, he bares his teeth as a fierce guardian but has a friendly engaging smile. We also offer antique Sri Lankan tiger amulets.