Wang says that all Chinese lions--be they small-scale figures for utilitarian decoration or imposing statues designed to guard against evil--can generally be classified into one of two styles, a northern and a southern. The northern lion is majestic and awesome, while the southern lion is warmer and gentler and often reveals a smile.
汪英德表示，中國獅子無論是用於觀賞、實用的小型獅子，或用於守護鎮邪的大件石獅，其造型大致分為南北兩派，北方的獅子雄偉剛健，相貌比較威風勇猛；南方的獅子則較嬌柔可親，臉上常露出微笑的神態。