This image was taken at Beijing, China, just outside one of the inner palaces of the Forbidden City. It is of one of a pair of bronze lion sculptures. Although no lions lived in China, they were adopted as a symbol of power and grandeur, and often adorn entries to palaces, official residences, businesses, and tombs. They are always in pairs, with a male and female lion. The male lion always has a ball under his front paw, while the female has a baby lion under her front paw. I especially appreciated the exquisite details, which I have not seen adorning any other such lions. Fit for an emperor I guess...