Statue

Massive stone fu lion sitting very erect on its haunches and throwing out its chest. It is made of weathered grey limestone with traces of yellow paint on the lower part. The lion has a huge muzzle, round eyes, short ears, and an open mouth showing its tongue. There is a small beard and a mane represented in low relief. He has vertical pillar-like front paws. The lion, associated with royal power and prestige, may be a reference to the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni, who was known as the "lion of the Shakya clan." This lion is one of a pair with C433 and would have been placed along the entrance to the tomb as a guardian or as a protector at a gate to a temple.