The statue on the left portrays some Buddhist figure, with its hands put together in a prayer position. This figure is sitting on some sort of pedestal with a lotus petal pattern lining the edges of it. The Buddhist figure is wearing these cultural garbs, a necklace that is long enough to reach the bottom of the pedestal, and a crown that seems to be featuring another figure in the same sitting position in the middle. Carrying the pedestal and the figure on its back are three lions.

Lions actually were not native animals to China. They were brought in during the Han Dynasty through the Silk Road, and during that same time period Buddhism began spreading into China. This overlap in time period provides a possible explanation as to why lions can be seen included throughout Buddhist art and prevently across Chinese art. Within Buddhism, lions were seen as protectors of the Buddha and its motifs can sometimes be seen supporting the throne of the Buddha's and Bodhisattvas, which can be seen in the statue on the left. Because of their representation of protection, lion statues would also be placed outside of buildings such as shrines, palaces, or tombs to act as a guard from evil spiritual influences or people.

From the collection of: The National Museum of Asian Art