Snow Lions or Snow Leopards

According to Buddhism, the Snow Lion resides in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise. It has a beauty and dignity resulting from a body and mind that are synchronized. The Snow Lion has a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight. Sometimes the throne of a Buddha is depicted with eight Snowlions on it, in this case, they represent the 8 main Bodhisattva-disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha.

Associations: main quality is fearlessness, dominance over mountains, and the earth element.

Contribute to the Snow Leopard Conservancy. Snow lions can be found in Mongolia, China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Nepal. They usually live above 10,000 feet in elevation in Central Asia and can jump up to 30 feet. We try to track them electronically in order to do research.

Most snow lions stand just over 24" tall, about the size of a German Shepherd. An adult male is about 95 pounds. The tail can reach 3.5 feet. They only breed every other year.  Liters are usually between one and five off spring. Mom will protect the young for up to 2 years.  Mortality rates are unknown. They are often referred to as "the mountain ghost".  They are real phantoms.

Man is it's primary enemy.  They are often killed for their lush pelts and bones are used in traditional medicine. Estimates from the World Wildlife Fund are fewer than 6,600 snow leopards in the wild currently. They are very elusive creatures.

May the white lion with turquoise mane, without rival, remove the obstacles from my path ...

Another prayer you often hear around Losar (Tibetan New Year) is Lha Gyal Lo!
May the gods be victorious!

This Snow Lion Guards the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet