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Giant Lion Carved From Single Tree By 20 People In 3 Years Becomes The World’s Largest Redwood Sculpture
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Giant Lion Carved From Single Tree By 20 People In 3 Years Becomes The World’s Largest Redwood Sculpture

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A giant wooden sculpture of a roaring lion now stands proudly in a Central Chinese city square, and the journey it took to get there makes it all the more spectacular.

The Oriental Lion, as it has been dubbed, was carved from a single redwood tree trunk over the span of 3 years. Established Chinese architect Dengding Rui Yao, reportedly assisted by over 20 people, initiated the project in Myanmar, where the carving was seen through. Finally, when the great beast was finished in December of 2015, it was transported over 3000 miles to reach Wuhan’s Fortune Plaza Times Square. At 47.5 feet long, 16.5 feet high, and 13 feet wide, the Oriental Lion is a force to be reckoned with.

Lions play a significant role in traditional Chinese culture. When Buddhism spread from India to China, so did many of its symbols, including the lion. Seen as protectors, lion statues became a common installation at the gates of imperial palaces, including the legendary Forbidden City in Beijing. Today, they can even be found outside of hotels and restaurants, just in case any evil spirits drifted from the Han dynasty into modern times.

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    Stella

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    Đen Nguyễn
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took 20 people 3 years to complete, but probably took the tree hundreds and thousand of years to grow to that size.

    Nancy E
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Different countries cultures vary, but, to me , the giant redwood is more beautiful than the lion. The tree says, I'm majestic ,enjoy long life , & , I'm alive. The lion says , I sacrificed a living tree , had 3 years of work , for art.

    Rivkaka
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is a spectacular sculpture! But I was curious why that amazing tree was cut down for this? I hoped I would read it in the intro text.

    Anne Madag
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    agree, Imagine that tree was remove (in 4th pic) then what will be look of that place :(

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    Đen Nguyễn
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took 20 people 3 years to complete, but probably took the tree hundreds and thousand of years to grow to that size.

    Nancy E
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Different countries cultures vary, but, to me , the giant redwood is more beautiful than the lion. The tree says, I'm majestic ,enjoy long life , & , I'm alive. The lion says , I sacrificed a living tree , had 3 years of work , for art.

    Rivkaka
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is a spectacular sculpture! But I was curious why that amazing tree was cut down for this? I hoped I would read it in the intro text.

    Anne Madag
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    agree, Imagine that tree was remove (in 4th pic) then what will be look of that place :(

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