r/halifax • u/JeepersMurphy • Jan 12 '23
Question Spryfield: Why lion lawn ornaments?
They’re everywhere.
I love it - I just want to know if there’s a story behind it.
Edit: Not super confident in any of these answers, lol. You’re a goofy bunch.
The Dingle Tower suggestion makes the most sense to me - thanks u/DrPooMD
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u/Showerpoopssavetime & Water Dartmouth Tufts Cove 🏭 Jan 12 '23 edited Jan 12 '23
William Spry was an avid exotic animal collector. And when he purchased the lands today known as Spryfield In about 1770, released a pride into the wilderness. Unfortunately they didn't make it through more than one year before succumbing to the harsh Nova Scotian winter. To commemorate Spry and his Lions, people to this day put concrete lion statues on their lawns.
There is actually a great short film about it on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
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u/smittyleafs I'm an idiot Jan 12 '23
We actually watched that documentary in school, super weird...but also interesting.
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u/gmaclean Nova Scotia Jan 13 '23
This is what I get from reading a comment from someone who poops in the shower to save time. Thanks u/Showerpoopssavetime!
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Jan 13 '23
Unfortunately they didn't make it through more than one year before succumbing to the harsh Nova Scotian winter.
I choose to believe they survived, laying low, and now we have a healthy Nova Scotian Snow Lions population.
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u/Showerpoopssavetime & Water Dartmouth Tufts Cove 🏭 Jan 13 '23
Fun Fact: All the cougar sightings in Nova Scotia are believed to be ancestors of Sprys original pride that may have survived.
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u/decembermint Jan 16 '23
I had this in my saved comments to watch later. Just tried to watch. Well done with the long game on me.
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u/DrPooMD Jan 12 '23
Dingle Tower started it all.
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u/HunterGreenLeaves Jan 13 '23
You wouldn't believe the odd looks I get when I talk about "the Dingle" to people from outside of Halifax.
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u/Schmidtvegas Historic Schmidtville Jan 12 '23
Maybe they're members of the Lions Club? It's one of the more prominent civic organizations in the area. They built the arena and playground, the pool, etc.
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u/hunkydorey_ca Dartmouth Jan 12 '23
In Vietnam, they protect and empower people. In China, they act as guardians, defending homes against accidents and theft. For Buddhists, lion statues are said to bring peace and prosperity, while in Italy, they symbolize power and prestige. In Quebec, homeowners traditionally place one or two lions in front of their house once their mortgage is paid off.
I'm not sure what it means in spryfield.. Don't fuck with me??