Tiger

Animal Frolic

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Animal Frolics Qigong: The Tiger
An Ancient Chinese Exercise Regimen for Nourishing Life (Yangsheng)
For Fitness, Fun, Increased Vitality, Confidence, Strength, Good Health and Longevity

Qigong (Chi Kung) Internal Energy Cultivation Method, Chinese Yoga, Chinese Stretching and Healing Exercises (Daoyin)
Wu Qin Xi: Five Animal Frolics
Laohu Qigong, Tiger Chi Kung
Tiger Shaolin Kung Fu
The Eight Animals' Frolics Chi Kung


Introduction     Bibliography     Links     Movement Names     Videos

Lessons     Quotations     Tigers     Correspondences     Somaesthetics

Cloud Hands Blog     Valley Spirit Qigong     The Good Life     Pleasures

Research by 
Michael P. Garofalo

© Valley Spirit Qigong, Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 2003-2016
By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S., All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer

五禽戲

Frolics of the Five Animals

Bear     Tiger     Monkey     Deer     Crane     Dragon     Animal Frolics
 

Tiger

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Introduction
Tiger Frolic
虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Ferocity

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Bibliography, Links and Resources
Tiger Frolic

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Adjust San Jiao and Strengthen Body Structure—the Effects of “Tiger Show” of Wu Qin Xi.  Chinese Health Qigong Association.  2009. 

Alphabetical Index to the Cloud Hands Website

Ancient Way to Keep Fit.   Compiled by Zong Wu and Li Mao.  Translated by Song Luzeng, Liu Beijian, and Liu Zhenkai.  Paintings by Zhang Ke Ren.  Foreword by Kumar Frantzis.  Bolinas, California, Shelter Publications, 1992.  211 pages, glossary.  ISBN: 0679417893.  Outstanding illustrations by Zhang Ke Ren.  The Five Animal Frolics are beautifully illustrated on pages 68-80.  

Animal Frolics Qigong: Bibliography, Links, Lessons, Resources, Quotations, History 

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment.  By Wong, Kiew Kit.  Charles E. Tuttle, 2002.  215 pages.  ISBN: 0804834393.  Chapter 9, pp. 102-118, Shaolin Five Animals: Training of Mind, Energy, Essence, Speed and Elegance.  Sifu Wong created a 36 Movement Five Animal Frolics form for this book.  The five Shaolin animals are the dragon, snake, tiger, leopard, and crane.  VSCL. 

Autumn (Fall):  Poems, Quotes, Sayings, Lore 

The Bear Frolic: Bibliography, Research, Notes, Lessons   

Chinese Healing Exercises: The Tradition of Daoyin.  By Livia Kohn.  University of Hawaii Press, 2008.  268 pages.  ISBN: 0824832698.  History of Daoist health practices.  Five Animal Frolics, pp. 57-70.

Chinese Health Qigong: Five Animal Frolics for Beginners  Instructional DVD by Master Jesse Tsao.  Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, 62 minutes.  Creaded by Professor Yu Dinghai for the Chinese Health Qigong Association. 

Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong: Laohu Gong  Instructional DVD by Master Zhongxian Wu.  St. Paul, Minnesota, Dragon Door Publicatons, 2006.  Instructional DVD, NTSC Format, 65 minutes.  UPC: 872432000275.  VSCL. 

Cloud Hands Blog

Cloud Hands Website: Qigong and Taijiquan 

Correspondences and Alchemical Associations of the Tiger

Correspondences and Alchemical Associations of the Animals of the Five Animal Frolics Qigong 

The Crane Frolic:  Bibliography, Resources, Links, Lessons, Notes

Daoyin, Qigong, Chi Kung, Yangsheng Gong:  Bibliography, Links, Resources, Lessons, Lore  

The Deer Frolic:  Bibliography, Lessons, Links, Resources, Notes, Lore 

Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong: Health and Energy in Seven Simple Movements.  By Bruce Frantzis.  245 pages.   North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2010.  ISBN: 9781556439216.  VSCL. 
 

The Dragon Frolic: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Lessons, Notes, Lore

Dragon Qigong  

Drawing Silk: Masters' Secrets for Successful Tai Chi Practice.  By Paul B. Gallagher.  Third Edition.  Fairview, North Carolina, Total Tai Chi, 2007, 1988.  245 pages.  ISBN:  9781419663127.  The Five Animal Frolics are covered on pp. pp. 214-215.  

The Effect of Precaution against Sub-health of the Health Qigong Wu Qin Xi.  Chinese Health Qigong Association.  2008. 

Eight Section Brocade Qigong   By Michael P. Garofalo.  History and purpose of this popular chi kung practice.  Descriptions for each of the eight movements, health benefits, comments, variations, extensive links and bibliography, resources, quotations, animated .gif photographs of the movements, and charts.  This file is updated on a regular basis as I add new material, links, notes, and resources.  A.K.A:  Baduanjin, Pa Tuan Jin, Eight Silken Treasures, Ba Duan Jin, Pal Dan Gum, Ba Duan Gin,  Pa Tin Kam, Otto Pezzi di Tesoro, Acht Delen Brokaat, Les Huit Exercices del la Soie, Eight Silken Treasures, Brocade Qigong, Wudang Brocade Qigong, Silk Treasures Qigong, First Eight Buddha Lohan Hands. 

The Essence of Tai Chi Chi Kung: Health and Martial Arts.  By Yang Jwing-Ming, Ph.D.. Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, YMAA Publication Center, 1990.  Glossary, appendices, index, 148 pages.  ISBN: 0940871106.  VSCL.   

The Essential Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  By Liu Yanch 

Five Animal Frolic, Part I.  Instructional VHS/DVD, 120 minutes, by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.  "Traditional Han Dynasty, Five Animal Frolic, Part I." 

Five Animal Frolic, Part II.  Instructional VHS/DVD, 120 minutes, by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.  "Traditional Han Dynasty, Five Animal Frolic, Part II." 

Five Animal Frolics Qigong: Bibliography, Resources, Lessons, Links, Quotations, History.  By Michael Garofalo. 

Five Animal Frolics Qigong.  By Michael Winn.  Includes instruction on Inner Smile and Six Healing Sounds.  Audio CDs, DVDs, books.  VSCL. 

Five Animal Sports Qigong.  Instructional DVD, 180 minutes, by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and Kathy Yang.  YMAA Publication Center, 2008.  ASIN: B0018OZFOS.  VSCL. 

Green Way Research.    Red Bluff, California.

Hatha Yoga: The Hidden Language; Symbols, Secrets and Metaphor.  By Swami Sivananda Radha.  Foreward by B.K.S. Iyengar.  Spokane, Washington, Timeless Books, 1987, 1995.  Index, 308 pages.  ISBN:  0931454743.  MGC.  A wonderful book filled with lore, myths, symbols, stories, and metaphors about various yoga postures. Yoga postures that embody aspects of birds (pp. 180-225) include the Swan (Hamsasana), Crane (Bakasana), Eagle (Garudasana), Peacock (Mayurasana), and Cock
(Kukkutasana).  

History of the Five Animal Frolics 

The Magician's Companion.   A Practical and Encyclopedic Guide to Magical and Religious Symbolism.  By Bill Witcomb.  St. Paul, Minnesota, Llewellyn Pubs., 1993.   Appendices, resources, 577 pages.  ISBN:  0875428681.   VSCL. 

Massage - Self-Massage, Patting 

The Monkey Frolic: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Lessons, Notes, Lore 

Power Qigong: The Bear and Tiger Frolics  By John Du Cane.  St. Paul, Minnesota, Dragon Door Publications, 2000.   Instructional DVD, 48 minutes.  Anti-Aging Series.  ISBN: 0938045210.  Website:  www.dragondoor.com.  VSCL.    

Qigong Essentials for Health Promotion.  By Jiao Guorui.  Beijing, China Reconstructs Press, 1988.  A lengthy description of the Five Animal Frolics can be found on pages 190-236.  VSCL.    

Relaxation (Sung, Song, Shoong), Effortless Action, and Qigong    Links, bibliography, quotes, and notes.  By Mike Garofalo. 

Sacred Circles 

Six Taoist Healing Sounds   Research by Mike Garofalo. 

The Spirit of the Five Animals: Shaolin Martial Arts.  By Tak Wah Eng.  Bo Law Kung Fu Federation, 2005.  171 pages.  Simple descriptions, with black and white photographs, for each animal form:  Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Crane and Snake.  VSCL. 

Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)

Tai Chi Chuan

Taoist Qigong for Health and Vitality.  A Complete Program of Movement, Meditation, and Healing Sounds.   By Sat Chuen Hon.  Foreword by Philip Glass.  Boston, MA, Shambhala Pubs. Inc., 2003.  Notes, 174 pages.  ISBN: 1590300688.  The healing sound for the Heart in this book is "Ho" and is described on pp. 71-83.  VSCL. 

Tiger Frolic.  UTube Video, 1:34 minutes.  Performed by Anson Rathbone, 2007.  As taught by Deguang at NESA's Medical Qigong Class. 

Tiger Frolic.  UTube Video, 4:33 minutes.  Peformed by Master Howard Choy. 

The Tiger Frolic:  Bibliography, Links, Resources, Lessons, Notes  

Tiger Frolics   UTube, 7:26 minutes. 

Tiger Frolics Walking by Deborah Davis at Kripalu

Valley Spirit Qigong, Red Bluff, California.  Instructor: Mike Garofalo, M.S. 

Vital Breath of the Dao: Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong (Laohu Gong).  By Master Zhongxian Wu.  St. Paul, Minnesota, Dragon Door Publications, 2006.  Notes, index, 236 pages.  ISBN: 0938045687.  VSCL.  "Detailed instruction in this powerful Mt. Emei Sage Style 24-movement Qigong form, which combines the traditions of ancient shamanism, Confucianism, Daoism, classical Chinese medicine, and the martial arts."  Master Wu moved from China to Portland, Oregon, in 2002; and now teaches all around the world.  Visit his website for more information; and, check out his UTube videos.  This book includes much insightful discussion of Chinese cosmology, myths, culture, numerology, shamanism, qigong, nature, and healthy living.  Fairly detailed instruction and photographs of the Shamanic Tiger Qigong form. 

Vital Breath of the Dao: Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong (Laohu Gong).  Demonstrated and taught by Master Zhongxian Wu.  Instructional DVD.  65 minutes running time.  Available from Dragon Door Publications, 1-800-899-5111.  DVD # 031.  VSCL. 

The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing.  By Kenneth S. Cohen.  Foreword by Larry Dossey.  New York Ballantine Books, 1997.  Index, notes, appendices, 427 pages.  ISBN: 0345421094.  One of my favorite books: comprehensive, informative, practical, and reasonable.  

Way of the Staff  

Ways of Walking: Poems, Quotes, Sayings, Bibliography, Links, Lessons, Resources 

Wild Goose Qigong: Links, Bibliography, Quotes, Notes   

Wudang Five Animal Qigong - The Tiger

Wudang Five Animal Form.  Instructional DVD.  Featuring Master Zhong Xue Chao..  Introductory video, 5:32 minutes.  Instruction over-dub voice in English.  This DVD include 5 forms of Tortoise, Crane, Snake, Tiger, and Dragon.  All 5 animal's complete demonstration, introduction and teaching. List of movements. 

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Postures, Routines, Names of Movements
Tiger Frolic

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Anson Rathbone, Tiger Frolic UTube

1.  Tiger Looks Around
2.  Scratch, Scratch, Lunge 
3.  Big Lunge 
4.  Circle Back, Reach and Tear   

Tiger Frolic.  UTube Video, 1:34 minutes.  Performed by Anson Rathbone, 2007.  As taught by Deguang at NESA's Medical Qigong Class. 

Kenneth Cohen, 5 Animal Frolics

1.  Stepping forward side to side, alternating legs, both arms reach forward with tiger claw hands forward with each step
2.  Same as 1, tiger claw hands first forward then drop down
3.  Corner stepping, add lung, same as 2
4.  Corner stepping, lung, same as 2, repeat longer lung, claws forward then down
5.  Tiger Climbs the Mountain:  Forward stepping, one arm claws up and down, other arm reaches back

Jiao Guorui, Qigong Essentials for Health Promotion

1.  Tiger Footwork
2.  Tiger Power
3.  Coming Out of the Tiger's Den 
4.  Preying Movements
5.  Tiger Combat

Jiao Guorui, Qigong Essentials for Health Promotion, 1988.  The Tiger Frolic exercises are discussed on pages 214-220.  This set features walking forward as each exercise is done. 

Yajun Zhuang, Five Animal Frolics

1.  Preparation Position
2.  Tiger Gaze
3.  Tiger Out of Cave
4.  Tiger Gaze Around
5.  Tiger Pounce on Food 

Five Animal Frolics by Master Yajun "Thomas" Zhuang

Wudang Five Animal Qigong

In Chinese traditional culture, the tiger was the symbol of power and unruliness. In the five elements, the tiger belongs to soil. Practicing the regimen often can cultivate the spleen and stomach, strengthen the bones and muscles.

1.Starting position
2. Guarding the breath into the pubic region
3. The tiger washing the hands and face
4. The tiger crouching down to listen to the wind
5. The tiger attacking at the prey
6. The tiger standing there still to look around
7. The tiger swallowing the prey
8. The tiger turning back the head
Closing position

Wudang to Five Animal Qigong

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Lessons, Instructions, Suggestions, Comments
Tiger Frolic

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

There is no one common set of movements for the Tiger Frolics Qigong.  Each Qigong teacher repeats what they first learned, or creates their own set of Tiger Frolic movements from the dozens of different movement sets available.  Variety is a hallmark of all Animal Frolics movement sets.  Nobody really knows the exact movements of the original Tiger Frolics set created by Hua Tuo in the second century CE.  Most Tiger Frolics sets have 3 to 5 movements in the set.  My own version of the Tiger Frolics movements are taken from a number of different Tiger Frolics Qigong sets, or are created on my own, and the sources for each movement are cited below.  

All Tiger sets feature the hands in a Tiger Claw: open fingers, rounded, tensed, as if the tiger or cat were reaching with their claws extended.  The eyes are often focused and "fierce" in intention.  Stepping into lunge postures are a common feature of Tiger Frolic movement sets.  The Tiger Frolics emphasize muscular force and tendon power per Kenneth Cohen. 

Safety Considerations:  Always sensibly adjust and modify any Tiger Frolic movement to suit your level of physical conditioning, your flexibility, and any injuries you may be dealing with.  Make adjustments according to your age.  Pay attention to how you feel and listen to what your body is telling you.  Don't do some suggested exercises as necessary.  Avoid injuries and setbacks by knowing your own limitations.  Here is some more safety advice in my Disclaimer. 

1.  The Tiger Lunges and Attacks

Feet together.  Stand up straight.  Arms at sides.  [1a]
Bring hands to waist level with tiger claw hands (fingers open and curled).
Step out to right side at a 45 degree angle with the right leg. [1b]  Step into a high lunge posture.  [1c]
As the right foot lifts and steps to the side [1b], draw both hands up the body to above the head, lift the head, circling both arms up and down. [1b]
As the right foot comes to the floor (ground), both hands, separated by a foot or so, claw downward to about waist level.  [1c]
Draw the arms back to the waist (as if pulling the captured prey close to your Tiger body) [1d] as the right foot is drawn back to beside the left foot.  [1e]
Repeat this movement on the right side 4 to 8 repetitions. 

1a	1b	1c	1d	1e

Do the same movement to the left side. 
Step out to left side at a 45 degree angle with the left leg.  Step into a high lunge posture. 
As the left foot lifts and steps to the side, draw both hands up the body to above the head, lift the head, circling both arms up and down.
As the left foot comes down to the floor (ground), both hands, separated by a foot or so, claw downward to about waist level. 
Draw the arms back to the waist (as if pulling the captured prey close to your Tiger body) as the left foot is drawn back to beside the right foot. 
Repeat this movement on the left side 4 to 8 repetitions. 

Movement source citation:  Tiger Frolic #3, Big Lunge.  UTube Video, 1:34 minutes.  Performed by Anson Rathbone, 2007.  As taught by Deguang at NESA's Medical Qigong Class. 

2.  The Tiger Crouches, Raises, Lunges, and Attacks 

From a standing position, with the feet at shoulder width, draw your loosely clenched fists up to your upper chest.
Bend forward from the waist, extend the arms forward, make tiger claws with palms down.  Bring the head down to the level of the hips.  Keep the back as straight as possible.  Bend the knees slightly. 
Draw the arms back to the knees as you squat down low, look downward.
Draw both arms up the body to your upper chest, fingers loosely clenched, gradually stand up and lean back as you look up.  Arms are draw up close to the body as as you stand up. 
Bring both arms up a to ears and then above your head, and then forward and down as you step forward with the left foot into a short lunge posture.  The hands form a tiger claw as they come down. 
Step back with the left foot to a centered position and bring the arms to the sides.  Imagine dragging the captured prey back to the Tiger's body before the killing bite to the prey's neck. 

Repeat exercise but step out to the right side.

Movement source citation:  Tiger Frolic, Movement 2, Seizing the Prey, pp. 33-41.  Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics): Chinese Health Qigong.  Compiled by the Chinese Health Qigong Association.  Beijing, China, Foreign Languages Press, 2007.  102 pages, includes an instructional DVD.  ISBN: 9787119047799.  VSCL.

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Quotations
Tiger Frolic and Tiger Lore

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

"The Tiger Play is to imitate the shape and movement of a tiger. The features of a tiger are its ferocity, strong body, and good at jumping and scratching. The most important element in the Tiger Play is to imitate the awe inspiring attitude of a tiger. Its spirit is shown in its eyes and its awesomeness comes out of its craws. It gazes with raged eyes and moves like wind. It twists its waist with force, wags head and swings tail, and vibrates its body. In practice the Tiger Play, you need to focus your attention on the "Life Gate" acupoint. The "Life Gate" is where the "Yuan Yang" resides. It is the sea of sperm and blood, the root of "Yuan Qi", and the tabernacle of water and fire. If you focus your attention on the "Life Gate" during practice, it will benefit your kidney and strengthen your waist, build your bones and produce marrows. It can also open the Jen (conception) and Du (governing) meridians to get rid of wind evils. The Tiger Play is suitable for curing the following diseases: clogged meridians, numbness caused by partially blocked Qi and blood circulation, pain in pelvis nerves, waist and back pain, infected spine, high blood pressure, and infected Du meridain."
-  Master Yajun “Thomas” Zhuang,  Five Animal Frolics 

"The tiger is the second animal in the five animal set and one of the most powerful.  The tiger is an animal that is know for its speed, agility and external strength.  Training under this form will develop the bones, joints, and tendons as it requires intricate coordinated movements.  The body is trained in the manner where it holds in twisting stances to develop a coil like exertion.  This centers the body to the ground and develops the legs to become more graceful yet deadly.  This form is perhaps the most physically challenging of all the forms.  Mastery of this form will strengthen the forearms, legs, torso and hands."
-  Tak Wah Eng, The Spirit of the Five Animals, p. 101. 

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Information, Facts, Lore, Artwork
Tigers

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

All species of tigers are endangered. 

Domestic house cats sleep an average of 13 to 16 hours each day.  A tiger will spend from 16 to 20 hours of each day doing very little apart from lying in the shade. 

"The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to 3.3 metres (11 ft) and weighing up to 306 kg (670 lb).  It is the third largest land carnivore (behind only the Polar bear and the Brown bear). Its most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underside. It has exceptionally stout teeth, and the canines are the longest among living felids with a crown height of as much as 74.5 mm (2.93 in) or even 90 mm (3.5 in). In zoos, tigers have lived for 20 to 26 years, which also seems to be their longevity in the wild. They are territorial and generally solitary but social animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey requirements. This, coupled with the fact that they are indigenous to some of the more densely populated places on Earth, has caused significant conflicts with humans.
    Tigers once ranged widely across Asia, from Turkey in the west to the eastern coast of Russia.  Over the past 100 years, they have lost 93% of their historic range, and have been extirpated from southwest and central Asia, from the islands of Java and Bali, and from large areas of Southeast and Eastern Asia. Today, they range from the Siberian taiga to open grasslands and tropical mangrove swamps. The remaining six tiger subspecies have been classified as endangered by IUCN. The global population in the wild is estimated to number between 3,062 to 3,948 individuals, down from around 100,000 at the start of the 20th century, with most remaining populations occurring in small pockets that are isolated from each other. Major reasons for population decline include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching. The extent of area occupied by tigers is estimated at less than 1,184,911 km² (457,497 sq mi), a 41% decline from the area estimated in the mid-1990s.
    Tigers are among the most recognizable and popular of the world's charismatic megafauna. They have featured prominently in ancient mythology and folklore, and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature. Tigers appear on many flags, coats of arms, and as mascots for sporting teams.  The Bengal tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh and India."
-  Tiger - Wikipedia

"I have studied many philosophers and many cats.  The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior."
-  Hippolyte Taine

"Tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful nocturnal hunters that travel many miles to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes). They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less.  Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous maneaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in an area where their traditional prey has vanished.  Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory."
-  Bengal Tiger - National Geographic

Cloud Hands Blog

"The domestic cat (Felis catus or Felis silvestris catus) is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal. It is often called the housecat when kept as an indoor pet, or simply the cat when there is no need to distinguish it from other felids and felines. 
    Cats are the most popular pet in the world, and now found almost every place where people live. Cats are valued by humans for companionship and ability to hunt vermin and household pests.  
    Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche.  Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small game.  They can see in near darkness.  Like most mammals, cats have poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. 
    Despite being solitary hunters, cats are a social species, and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations (meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling and grunting) as well as pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.  
   Since cats were cult animals in ancient Egypt, they were commonly believed to have been domesticated there, but there may have been instances of domestication as early as the Neolithic.  A genetic study in 2007 revealed that domestic cats have descended from African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) c. 8000 BCE, in the Middle East."
-  Domesticated and Feral Cats - Wikipedia 

Cats in the Garden, by Mao Yi, 12th century China
Cultural Depictions of Cats

Cats and Dogs in the Garden: Quotes, Sayings, Lore

"With the image of the lion in mind, the Egyptians built the Sphinx, a huge effigy of the Sun God, with the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh, and they also worshipped the goddess Sekhmet, who with the head of a lion (see picture) was the goddess of war, who descended to the earth to destroy the enemies of Ra, and was known as the Eye of Ra. Amongst the list of Egyptian feline goddess we find Mau, a personification of Ra as a cat (Mau being the ancient Egyptian word for cat); Tefnut, a lion headed goddess whose name means Moisture and represents one of the most primeval forces of creation; and Mafdet, a goddess of protection.  In an Ancient Egyptian spell which repels snakes, the protection of Mafdet is invoked: 'O cobra, I am the flame which shines on the brows of the Chaos-gods of the Standard of Years. Begone from me, for I am Mafdet!' 
    However, the domestic cat was specifically claimed to be under the protection of Bast.  Bast, like Sekhmet was often said to be the daughter of Ra, and she was the protector of cats and those who took care of cats; her gifts were joy and pleasure.  Her cult was centered in the city of Bubastis (called Per-Bast, or House of Bast, by the Egyptians), where, once her temple stood. The Greek historian, Herodotus said "there is no temple more beautiful than that of Bubastis". Bubastis also housed a necropolis where hundreds of mummified cats were buried. She also had an annual festival, which seems to have been one of the most popular in the whole of Egypt, accompanied by loud music and chanting. She is often represented either as a woman with a cat's head, or as a cat.  The significance of Bast can only be understood by comparing her to Sekhmet.  Indeed, there is evidence that the Egyptians viewed them as aspects of the same divine force - Sekhmet being the violent aspect of the divine sun, and Bast being its gentler aspect."
-  The Magic Paw - Cats and World Mythology

"In China, the tiger is considered the King of All Beasts and represents powerful energy. Further, the tiger is associated with Tsai Shen Yeh, the Chinese God of Wealth, and this god is usually seen sitting on a tiger in Asian art.  Asian lore considers the tiger the protector of the dead, and will often be seen near graves as a mark of protection, assuring peace for those who have passed.  The tiger is associated with power, yang energy, royalty, protection, generosity, illumination, and unpredictability. 
    In ancient Chinese myth there are Five Tigers that hold the balance of cosmic forces in place and prevent the universe from collapsing into chaos.  The White Tiger rules the Fall season and is the governor of the Metal Element.  The Black Tiger rules the winter season and is the governor of the Water Element.  The Blue Tiger rules the Spring season is is the governor of the Earth Element.  The Red Tiger rules the summer season and is the governor of the Fire Element.  The Yellow Tiger is the supreme ruler of all the other Tigers and is associated with the sun."
-  Chinese Tiger Symbolism 

"'Tiger' ('Hu') represents 'the king of the mountains'. It is seen as powerful and full of courage and dignity. Since ancient times, Chinese people have worshiped and honored the tiger. In China today, there are many folk-customs and festival days involved with the tiger: people paste pictures of tigers onto doors or windows of their houses in order to be protected; the new-born infants are often named as "Tiger Boy" (Hu Wa) or "Tiger Girl" (Hu Niu) with the hope of their parents that they will grow up as vigorously as a tiger; soldiers are also called "the Tiger military officer" for their bravery."
-  The Tiger in Chinese Rock Art

"The Tiger ( 虎 ), is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.  The Year of the Tiger is associated with the earthly branch symbol 寅.  For example, 15 February 2010 – 2 February 2011: Year of the Metal Tiger."
-  Tiger in Zodiac

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Table of Correspondences, Associations, Symbolism
Tiger Frolics
 

虎戏   Tiger Frolic   Hŭ X́

Correspondences and Alchemical Associations for the Tiger:

Attributes:  Power, Courage, Ferocity, Quickness; Builds Willpower, Develops Yang Energy
Elemental:  Metal; Metal creates Water 
Direction:  West 
Organ:  Lung  
Environment: Dry, mild temperatures, less humidity.  Lungs cannot function with too much moisture inside of them, e.g., drowning, congestive heart failure, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.  Air that is too hot or too cold cause breathing problems.  The cooler and dryer weather of autumn is favored.  Clean air with less smoke, smog, and other pollutants is best. 
Season:  Autumn  
Color:  White  
Yin Organ:  Lungs 
Yang Organ: Large Intestines 
Energetic Movements:  Contracting, Sinking, Crouching, Leaping, Letting Go  
Healing:  Lungs, Bronchi, Nose and Sinus; Muscles, Tendons, Skin; Large Intestines, Liver and Gall Bladder.  The work on the lungs helps prevent colds during the coming winter season (water). 
Healing Sound:  "hsssssss"  
Time of Day:  Lungs (3am-5am) and Large Intestine (5am-7am) 
Release: Grief, Sadness  
Encourage:  Strength (Yang);  Joy and Courage (Yin) 
Associations: Harvest, Dusk, Dryness,  
Body Language of Tiger or Cat:  Sleeping, Purring, Clawing, Jumping, Crouching, Stalking, Biting
 

The assignment of alchemical and magickal correspondences to the Tiger vary amongst practitioners of the Five Animal Frolics, qigong theorists, and Taoist Alchemists.  The following authors have provided tables of correspondences:  Kenneth Cohen, Franklin Fick, Mike Garofalo, Alan Graham, Livia Kohn, Joseph Morales, Ken Morgan, Nancy Seeber, Yang Jwing-Ming, and Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.