The lions were cast in Shanghai in 1935 and placed in front of the old HSBC headquarters building in Hong Kong. In 1941, the Japanese invaded Hong Kong and the lions suffered shrapnel damage, still visible today.
During the war the lions were shipped, together with other statues from Hong Kong, to Yokohama in Japan to be melted down so that the metal could be used in the war effort. Fortunately, they were not destroyed, an American sailor recognised them and they were returned to Hong Kong after the war. They were then sited in front of the new HSBC building that was opened in 1985 at a cost of HK$ 5bn - at that time the most expensive building in the world.
Tourists,
including Japanese tourists, make a point of visiting the lions and stroking
their paws, because it is said to bring good luck. (The HSBC building itself reportedly
enjoys enormous good luck as it was located according to the rules of Feng Shui and sits on the intersection
of five ‘dragon lines’ with uninterrupted harbour views).
I don’t
believe in the good luck aspect but I always try to visit the lions soon after
I arrive in Hong Kong - it’s like paying one’s respects to an aged relative, a
war veteran and a survivor too. Nice to see you again!
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