Lions and Struwwelpeter

I don't remember  seeing more lions than I had in Germany.  Of course it has to be so because lion is a national symbol, at least in Bavaria. They even have lion beers called Löwenbräu.  Most lions were made to be an emblem of power, some even bear historical memories .


Like this one, at Feldherrnhalle (or Feldherrenhalle). He was looking down at Hitler who organized an illegal march in front of it. Hitler was arrested in that event.







          But, this golden lion looks quite light-hearted. Like a puppy begging for love or treats.

A lion greeted us on our way to the Grimm's Brothers' Museum.

They also have lions to bring your lucks. Europeans just like to touch something to bring them luck. Breasts, pig(sometimes bear) snouts, lion faces...etc. We Taiwanese like to do different things. we carry amulet-like tiny cloth bags to bring lucks.

A funky lion hidden in an arcade of Marian Platz .

I like this funky one the most. It shakes off  history burdens, only fun.











                And, I think they like lions so much, they even like the characters who look like lions.  Like this famous Struwwelpeter. For me, I found it was hard to love this character, a gloomy face with nasty long hair and nails.  For a person who studies children's literature, I should know about him or like him. But, before I came to Germany, I hadn't had even heard about him. I was surprised that they even have a museum for him in Frankfurt.  So I was there, with all these Struwwelpeter experts and felt like an idiot of children's literature. 

So many variations of Struwwelpeter. It feels like him in a fashion show, a nightmarish one. 

 I found this one more likable. a female Struwwelpeter of modern time. A cool one, too.