Cloth tiger and longevity lock are believed to be talismans in Chinese folk customs.

Cloth tigers: Children's Protecting Gods

Cloth tigers, a kind of Chinese folk toys, boast a long history and a wide variety, and have occupied the hearts of both children and parents ever since ancient times. These toys, while serve as a means for children to enjoy themselves, also express their parents' hopes and desires as well as affection towards the children.

Mostly made from silk cloth or brocade and embroidered with patterns of flowers, butterflies and a tiger's wrinkled forehead, the cloth tigers are said to be capable of preventing evil things from happening to the children they accompany during sleep and play. Hailed as the protecting gods of children, they are actually a vivid symbol of maternal love. Beautiful or naughty, the lifelike cloth tigers are an indispensable present when a child reaches one month old.

Viewed as representatives of traditional Chinese cloth toys, cloth tigers are closely bound with China's folk customs, which date back to ancient times.

Legend has it that on a beautiful mountain there were many peach trees guarded by two robust brothers, named Shen Tu and Yu Lei, who were also skilled in martial arts. In order to take good care of the peach forest, the two tamed the tigers living on the mountain and ordered them to guard the forest. Under the two brothers' good care, the peach trees flourished and the two were looking forward to the harvest.

However, news of the ripening peaches reached the demons also living in the mountain. The demons then rushed upwards to get the fruit for themselves. The brothers called in the tigers to help fight against the demons. The elder brother beat the demons down with a peach-wood stick, while the younger one tied them up with a reed rope to feed them to the tigers. Within a short time, they had destroyed most of the demons, with the rest fleeing in panic.

Following the victorious battle, the names of Shen Tu and Yu Lei became widespread among the folks, who later worshiped them as the Door Gods by posting their pictures on the front door of houses to ward off evil things. The tigers, from them on, also enjoyed a great reputation and were adored as "King of Beasts" and "Natural Enemy of Demons".

Though only a legend, it reflected the goodwill of ancient people. In the times when the productivity was rather low, people had no scientific way to know of nature and diseases, and thus attributed these phenomena to the invisible and untouchable demons. They based the hope and desire of overcoming them on the ideal heroes and fierce animals.

There are other reasons why tigers became "King of Beasts". Firstly, they all have strong and vigorous bodies and are extremely powerful and valiant. Secondly, they have the elegant yellow fur with black stripes, and the three clear strips on the center of their forehead greatly resemble the Chinese character "王" (meaning "King" in Chinese).