Cultural depictions of tigers

Tigers have played an important role in many cultures around the world. They are often seen as powerful symbols of strength and bravery. People have used tigers in stories, art, and even in religious meanings for centuries.

Tigers are also one of the most 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 shown as a strong rival to the Chinese dragon, representing earth and matter. In Korean mythology and culture, the tiger is seen as a guardian that keeps away bad spirits and brings good luck. It is a symbol of courage and power.

In Buddhism, the tiger stands for anger. In Hinduism, the god Shiva is shown with tiger skin, and the goddess Durga rides a tigress into battle. Many cultures respect the tiger and see it 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 evil spirits. In Chinese art, tigers are one of the Four Symbols, along with the dragon, phoenix, and turtle. They were often 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 ancient Indian story Mahabharata, the tiger is described as very strong and fierce. In Rudyard Kipling's famous book The Jungle Book, the tiger named Shere Khan is a big danger to the main character. Another exciting story is Life of Pi by Yann Martel, where the main character shares a small boat with a large tiger after a shipwreck. This story was turned into a movie in 2012.

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

Music

In ancient China, during the Zhou dynasty, a wooden instrument called the yu was shaped like a tiger. It was used in special ceremonies and was played by striking its head with a bamboo whisk. Some temples, like the Taiwan Confucian Temple, still use versions of this instrument today. A similar instrument called the eo is also used in Korean court rituals.

Heraldry and emblems

See also: Tigers (sports teams)

The tiger has been an important symbol in many cultures and histories. In ancient times, it appeared on seals from the Indus Valley Civilisation and was the emblem of the Chola Dynasty, shown on coins and banners. Today, the tiger represents countries like India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and South Korea as their national animal.

In Europe, artists imagined tigers differently, often drawing them without stripes. Later, as the British Empire expanded into Asia, more realistic tiger images, especially of the Bengal tiger, began to appear in symbols and coats of arms.