How many Wind Lion Gods are there in Kinmen?

How many Wind Lion Gods are there in Kinmen? According to official estimates, there are about a hundred of them. Some are located at village entrances, some on walls, and others in the fields...

It is said that the origin of Kinmen's Wind Lion Gods is to "ward off wind and evil." The strong northeast monsoon on the island brought sandstorms and other wind-related disasters. Coupled with man-made troubles at the time, residents believed the wind carried "evil spirits." They adopted the image of stone lions from folk beliefs and placed them at village entrances, crossroads, and other wind-facing locations to ward off these evils. Over time, they evolved into guardians of the settlements.

Some Wind Lion Gods are tall and majestic, some have unique designs, some wear capes, and some are even glazed. There are even female Wind Lion Gods! So next time you visit Kinmen, don't just explore the tunnels or visit the distilleries—searching for Wind Lion Gods can be quite an interesting activity too!

Post by Chengchichi | Sep 10, 2025