About Guardian
“Lokapala” Figures…..

In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, any of the guardians (sometimes referred
to as “Lokapalas”) of the four cardinal directions. They are
known in Tibetan as ‘jig-rtenskyong, in Chinese as t’ien-wang, and in Japanese as
shi-tenno . 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 albeit fierce militaristic form while the other pair took the forms of
frightening mythical beasts.