Cultural depictions of tigers

Tigers have been important in many cultures around the world. They often stand for strength and bravery. People have used tigers in stories, art, and even in religious ideas for many years.

Tigers are very popular animals today. In a big vote in 2004, more than 50,000 people from many countries chose the tiger as their favourite animal. It got 21% of the votes, just a little more than the dog.

Because tigers are so admired, they are often used to help protect wildlife. Many conservation groups use pictures and ideas of tigers to teach people why we need to save these amazing animals and their homes.

Mythology, religion and folklore

Further information: Tiger worship

In Chinese mythology and culture, the tiger is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. It is often a strong rival to the Chinese dragon. It stands for earth and strength. In Korean mythology and culture, the tiger is a guardian. It keeps away bad spirits and brings good luck. It is a sign of courage and power.

In Buddhism, the tiger stands for anger. In Hinduism, the god Shiva is shown with tiger skin. The goddess Durga rides a tigress into battle. Many cultures respect the tiger as a powerful and important creature.

Art

Tigers have appeared in art for thousands of years. In ancient Neolithic cultures, tiger images were used to scare away bad spirits. In Chinese art, tigers are one of the Four Symbols, along with the dragon, phoenix, and turtle. They were placed on Chinese tombs to guard against thieves.

In Korea, paintings like "Jakhodo" show a magpie and a tiger, believed to keep evil away. Tigers also appear in Western art. Artists such as George Stubbs, Eugène Delacroix, Henri Rousseau, and Salvador Dalí have all created famous works featuring tigers.

Main article: A Young Tiger Playing with Its Mother

Main articles: The Tiger Hunt, Tiger in the Snow, Tiger in a Tropical Storm, Tiger with a Tortoise

!Tiger, 1912 by Franz Marc Relief in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Literature and media

See also: Bengal tiger § Literature

Tigers appear in many stories and films. In the old Indian story Mahabharata, the tiger is described as very strong. In Rudyard Kipling's book The Jungle Book, the tiger named Shere Khan is a danger to the main character. Another story is Life of Pi by Yann Martel, where the main character is on a boat with a tiger after a shipwreck. This story was made into a movie.

There are also friendly tigers in stories. Tigger from A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh is a happy, bouncy toy. Another children’s book is The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. And Tony the Tiger is a character who promotes the breakfast cereal Frosted Flakes.

Music

In ancient China, people made a wooden instrument called the yu that looked like a tiger. They used it in special ceremonies and played it by hitting its head with a bamboo whisk. Some temples, like the Taiwan Confucian Temple, still use this instrument today. A similar instrument called the eo is used in Korean court rituals.

Heraldry and emblems

See also: Tigers (sports teams)

The tiger is an important symbol in many cultures. Long ago, it appeared on seals from the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was also the emblem of the Chola Dynasty, shown on coins and banners. Today, the tiger is the national animal of India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and South Korea.

In Europe, artists drew tigers in different ways. Later, as the British Empire grew in Asia, more realistic tiger images were used in symbols and coats of arms.