Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Allerton Park [PAGE 9]

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The approach to the Garden of the Fu Dogs from the west is through an avenue of wisteria and other flowering vines which blossom almost continuously from May until late summer. The entrance to this avenue from the garden is guarded by a pair of stone Fu Dogs from Korea. The Fu Dog is actually a highly stylized and formal representation of a lion, originally symbolizing the Lord Buddha's position as a king. These are commonly used on the domestic altars in Chinese homes of the Buddhist faith. In earlier days they were made of bronze, but about the time of the American Revolution porcelain became the favorite material. Although the Dogs at first seem to be much alike, a closer inspection reveals many small but important differences. This is in part because the Chinese do not like to make identical pieces. They value variety as highly as Westerners value identity. The view from the upper level of the summer house amply repays those who climb the hidden iron steps

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