Stone lions, a common item in Chinese traditional culture, are sculptures of lions carved from stone, holding both artistic and ornamental value. The earliest stone lions are those in front of the tomb of Gao Yi during the Eastern Han Dynasty. They are a type of decorative element frequently used in traditional Chinese architecture, and can be seen on palaces, temples, pagodas, bridges, gardens, tombs, and even on seals. However, more often, stone lions refer to a pair placed on either side of the main gate. Their design is not what we see today's lions, possibly because most Chinese people have never seen real lions in the grasslands, or perhaps due to the different posture of the Western lions.