中国店铺的招牌和幌子分别是店铺和行业的标志，统称招幌，是中国商业习俗的表现形式之一。中国招幌随商品交易出现而产生，在商品经济发展中不断汰旧推新，生生灭灭，历久传承。 本书收集19世纪与20世纪之交流行于市面上的各业招幌图式约百种，并配以相应的表现店铺、作坊、市街景象的绘画、摄影作品。旨在重现沉没于历史岁月中的市井商情和街市景观，读者借着这些静态和动态的图像，结合书中文字，或可对中国招幌的产生、发展、演变及其中蕴蓄的民俗文化，以及与之相关的古人、古事和商品知识有约略的了解。

Chinahasalonghistoryofagriculture,sointheearlieststagesitsfestivalswereintimatelytiedupwithfarming.Today,theChinesecontinuetocelebratethesefestivals,bringingthemevenclosertotheirancestors,creatorsofasplendidculture.

Traditional images of the lion are iconic cultural symbols of China. The lion is believed to be one of the most auspicious animals in Chinese folk culture. Images of the creature gradually gained popularity throughout the country as they spread from religious venues to people's homes. With their distinctive national character and regional features, rugged appearance and excellent craftsmanship, Chinese stone lions are favorites of the Chinese people.This book focuses on the development of stone lion carving, the evolution of its designs, the folk culture the creatures exemplify, the principles for stone lion carving, and the various styles and uses of stone lions. On these pages are more than 300 photographs of the carved beasts from nearly 20 regions in China.