L80xH80xW60mm, China
Cloth tiger is a common toy for children in China. Though we have all kinds of monstrous toys on the market nowadays, it would seems strange for a folk toy to be based on a vicious animal like the tiger. In the days when life in less protected against nature and disease, the Chinese look on the tiger as a symbol of strength, bravery and good health. The cloth tiger becomes a symbol of protection and a blessing for the young. On the 5th of the lunar month of may, the day when ritual would be performed for plague prevention, faces of the children will be painted yellow with tiger pattern for extra protection. Cloth tiger would be given to a child 3 days after its birth, on its 100 days birthday, 1st and 2nd birthdays and on Chinese New Year as a blessing to the child.
Mountain Folkcraft 