Welcome toTecho Airport Art Exhibition

The Mythical Lion Guardian is a mythical lion guardian frequently depicted in Khmer art and architecture. In ancient Cambodia, lion statues were commonly placed at the entrances of temples and sacred structures to serve as protectors, preventing evil spirits and harmful forces from entering religious spaces.

Unlike most Khmer lion sculptures, which stand firmly on all four legs, the two Mythical Lion Guardian statues discovered at the Bakan Temple Complex are exceptionally rare. They are depicted standing upright on their two hind legs while raising their front legs, creating a dynamic and powerful posture not commonly found in Khmer sculpture. Art historians date these statues to the Bayon period during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

The statue represents Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the central deity of the Vaishnava tradition. According to the study, it reflects the strong influence of Vishnu worship in early Khmer society and demonstrates the development of Khmer religious art during the Pre-Angkorian period.

Garuda symbolizes strength, courage, power, protection, and victory over evil forces. In Khmer tradition, he represents the ability to overcome obstacles and serves as a guardian figure associated with divine authority and protection.

This celestial male figure represents the ideals of Khmer Bayon-period art, emphasizing serenity, wisdom, compassion, and spiritual harmony. The gentle smile, calm expression, and graceful posture reflect the artistic and religious values that flourished during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Rather than portraying a specific deity, the sculpture symbolizes inner peace, noble character, and the elevated spiritual ideals of Angkorian civilization.

The statue represents Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the central deity of the Vaishnava tradition. It reflects the importance of Vishnu worship in early Khmer society and symbolizes divine protection and preservation.