Loyalty

Loyalty is devotion and unwavering commitment to one’s principles and allies.

Loyalty entails upholding the principles and values that are beneficial to oneself and society. By demonstrating loyalty to those who deserve it, individuals foster personal growth and contribute to the development of a harmonious and respectful society.

Within the Loyalty Art Print, two Chinese Guardian Lions, commonly known as Foo Dogs by Western civilizations, are depicted. These lions are typically portrayed in pairs, with the female lion symbolizing yin and the male lion representing yang. Traditionally, they serve as protective guardians for those who place them outside their dwellings. The lions’ association with loyalty stems from the belief that we should not only protect and appreciate those we care about but also uphold our ethical principles. Values such as those embodied in Bushido form the foundation of our character. Furthermore, it is imperative that we remain steadfast in our loyalty to these moral principles, diligently nurturing and maintaining them throughout our lives.

Notably, the male and female lions are positioned differently within the composition. The female lion stands in the background, symbolically safeguarding those within the pride. Her front paw rests on a playful cub, gently restraining him on his back. This representation encapsulates the cyclical nature of life, from the youthful exuberance of a child to the responsibilities of adulthood that come with caring for one’s offspring.

The male lion holds his front paw on a cloth ball resembling the figure known as “The Flower of Life.” Symbolically, the male lion guards the external boundaries of the pride, providing protection and support from external threats. In accordance with this role, the male lion occupies the focal point of the image, representing the initial line of defense. He is prepared to unwaveringly defend his moral principles and those he cherishes, embodying the same unwavering loyalty that we should strive for. As with the female lion, the mail lion emphasized the importance of maintaining unwavering loyalty to those closest to us within our personal circle of friends and family.

Loyalty  忠義