Talons - Pingtung

Chinese temples are interesting in that they are covered what we consider frightening images in western folklore: sharp-clawed, fire-breathing dragons, snarling lions, men and women with sharp swords and fierce expressions. Fear does play a part in local religious beliefs and everyday customs, as offerings are made to pacify angry monsters, avoid unhappy ancestral spirits, and feng shui guidelines observed to ward off bad luck.

*Obviously personal beliefs and practices vary, and I would not apply these generalizations to Buddhism or Taoism as a whole.