So I've been wanting to create my own foo-dog/lion-dog/komainu-inspired design for well over a year, and I've finally put my idea down on (virtual) paper. :) In Eastern culture, these creatures guard entryways to temples, houses, and roads. This is more of my own loose interpretation of a foo dog. I'm still developing this character, but my main goal is to bring to life a character that honors my heritage in multiple ways. There is a lot of symbolism going on here already-- for example, the black, open-winged eagle necklace is symbolic of my surname crest, which showcases a black, open-winged eagle. My grandmother collected bells her whole life, and I inherited her love of bells, hence why they're included on this character. The orangey hue to the mane and tail pays homage to my Dutch heritage, through my father's side. Perhaps once I'm done creating this character, I'll create a list of all the symbols and their meanings. Will see!

Made on Paint Tool SAI <3