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Re: #2 - Desperately Seeking Information

Posted By: James Wilson
Posted Date: Jul 09, 2008 (11:30 AM)

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This is a figure that is often referred to generically as a Chinese Tomb Guardian. The sanskrit term is Lokapala. There are 4 of them and each one is assigned to one of the compass directions. This specific fellow is known in sanskrit as Virudhaka, and he is assigned to the south. In China, depictions of Lokapala were often placed in the tombs of important high ranking people, which is how they came to be known as Tomb Guardians. Each Lokapala was placed in his assigned direction and would protect the deceased from any evil spirits in that quadrant. I hope this helps.

James

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Re: #2 - Desperately Seeking Information - Mary - Jul 11, 2008 (09:41 PM)