In Buddhism and many other religion including Hinduism there are supposed to be Four Heavenly Kings in the sky (Chinese - Sì Da Tiānwáng), often called as the four Guardians of the world. In Sanskrit they are called, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera, He who hears everything), Virūḍhaka (Patron of Growth), Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Watcher of the Lands) and Virūpākṣa (He who sees all). They are followed by Yakṣas, Kumbhāṇḍas, Gandharvas and Nāgas respectively. In different countries they have been depicted differently in particular colours and with particular thing or objects in their hand. In general world they can be depicted as North, South, East and West respectively.
The person in the shared picture here depicts the third Guardian or the King of Skies, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, i.e., East and followed by Gandharvas according to Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In China he is called, Chí Guó Tiānwáng [持國天王]. He is known to carry a musical instrument, usually a flute or a pipa (a Chinese musical instrument). This is the Flora picture of the Year 2011 for me. To know why, please check the PIPA! That's an Orchid, Cymbidium sp. The picture was taken at just over 100 years old, Po Lin Buddhist monastery, on Ngong Ping Plateau, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Hope you will like it. Thank you! Pankaj ********************************************************************** "Taxonomists getting Extinct and Species Data Deficient !!" Pankaj Kumar Ph.D. (Orchidaceae) Conservation Officer Office: Orchid Conservation Section Flora Conservation Department Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Corporation Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Residence: 36c, Ng Tung Chai, Lam Tseun Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. email: pku...@kbfg.org sahanipan...@gmail.com pankajsah...@rediffmail.com Phone: +852 2483 7128 (office - 8:30am to 5:30pm) +852 9436 6251 (mobile)
