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As the story goes, a long time ago, it wasn't the tiger but the lion that was one of the 12 signs in the Chinese zodiac. However, the lion was deemed too ferocious and cruel, prompting the Jade Emperor to look for a suitable replacement.

Lion is first known to Chn in early Han dynasty, and only received it as gift from west asia kingdom in later Han dynasty,
But Chinese Zodiac already in practised before that, by Han more or less firm up zodiac animals is without lion.

Likely the one found in Sg could be escape gift escaping from sinking ship.