Heavenly King Virudhaka
Unknown Artist
1368–1644
Medium
hanging scroll; color on silk
Dimensions
243 × 95 cm · painting only: 110 × 75.2 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Worcester R. Warner Collection
Accession Number
1918.544
About this artwork
Virudhaka, Lokapala or Heavenly King of the South, is one of four guardians placed at the entrance of Buddhist temple halls or hung on all four sides of an altar for protection against evil spirits. Having a blue face, Virudhaka wears armor and holds a sword. Demons flank the deity: one with open mouth and three eyes whirls a banner and holds a snake; the other has a dragon slung around his neck.