Chinese mythology
The Chinese dragon is one of the most important mythical creatures in Chinese mythology, considered to be the most powerful and divine creature and the controller of all waters who could create clouds with their breath. The dragon symbolized great power and was very supportive of heroes and gods. The conventional dragon has a certain description, however there are other dragons or dragon-like beings that vary from this description. For example, the Chi of mythology lacks horns. Dragons often chase or play with a mystical or flaming pearl. A dragon-fenghuang pairing is a common motif in art, the fenghuang often being called a "phoenix".
Chinese guardian lions
Asiatic lions were once quite common throughout their historic range in Southwest, South and Central Asia and are believed to be the ones depicted by the guardian lions in Chinese culture. In India, where the Asiatic lion also lived, it is known by its ancient Sanskrit name "Sinh" or "Simha" (सिंह) and due to travels of Buddhist monks many East Asian languages have borrowed from this Sanskrit word for lion. Since ancient times Lion statues adorned palaces and temples and other important buildings in India and in Buddhist culture Lion was depicted as the protector of Dharma. In Hinduism lions are associated with Gods and Goddesses.