Door Knocker/Door Ring/Door Handle

Lion door handles on ancient gates are commonly known as "pǔshǒu" (铺首), also called "door rings". They are handles installed on house gates used for opening and closing doors, and are also decorative items.

The origin of pǔshǒu can be traced back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, when the main material was bronze, using casting techniques. Over time, the material of the door rings gradually evolved, with iron, silver, gold, and even gemstone-inlaid door rings appearing. Especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the making of door rings reached its peak. Exquisite smelting techniques and innovative designs made the door rings treasures in architectural decoration at that time.

In ancient culture, the door ring was not only a practical object but also had profound symbolic meaning. It was considered a symbol of social status and family honor, expressing different emotional attitudes towards work, interpersonal relationships, and fate. For example, in ancient government offices, aristocratic families, and wealthy merchant families, they used the rank of the door ring to represent the hierarchical social class system.

Furthermore, lions are also a common symbolic animal in ancient culture. They represent majesty and power; therefore, the use of lion door handles on ancient gates was also intended to demonstrate this majesty and power.