What are the historical uses of animal sculptures in religious stone architecture?
Animal sculptures have played a significant role in religious stone architecture throughout history, serving as sacred symbols, guardians, and narrative elements. In ancient Egypt, lion-headed sphinxes guarded temples, embodying divine power. Hindu temples feature intricate carvings of deities like Nandi the bull, representing devotion and strength. Gothic cathedrals often include gargoyles, blending spiritual symbolism with practical water drainage. In Chinese Buddhism, stone lions flank temple entrances as protectors. These sculptures not only enhanced architectural beauty but also conveyed religious teachings, cultural values, and mythological stories, leaving a lasting legacy in sacred spaces worldwide.
