狮 is rarely used alone — the common word is 狮子 (shīzi). Compounds include 狮子 (lion), 石狮 (stone lion), 狮子座 (Leo, zodiac sign), 舞狮 (lion dance).
culture
Stone lions (石狮子) are placed at the entrance of temples, palaces, and important buildings as guardian figures. The male holds a ball, the female a cub.
