Lokapala, guardian figure - Tang Dynasty

The earliest known examples of guardian figures date from around the 5th century, coinciding with an increased acceptance of Buddhism. The Buddhist Guardians of the four cardinal directions, north, south, east and west, mixed easily with the Daoist Heavenly Kings who were also guardians of the four directions.

As Guardians they could call upon the spirits of the next world to help them protect the tomb if necessary. It was usual for pairs of guardian figures to be placed in tombs near its entrance. Two figures were usually in human form while the other pair took the forms of frightening mythical beasts.

Dharmapalas (Lokapalas) are warrior guardians of Buddhist temples. They were introduced to China in the mid-seventh century by a Cingalese Buddhist monk Pu Kung. Not unlike the guardian Chimera, these figures soon became popular mortuary guardians in the imperial tombs of Tang (618-906 A.D.).

They are known as Heavenly Kings (Tien-wang), guardians of the four directions that protect the world from attacks of evil spirits.