The Guardian Weituo

Weituo is the Chinese version of Skanda, the Indian god of war and a son of the Hindu deity Shiva. He is first mentioned in a Chinese Buddhist text written by monk Dao Xuan (d. mid-ninth century), in which he is described as a powerful warrior assisting the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. For the martial skills he mastered, Weituo was granted a place of leadership among the thirty-two heavenly warriors guided by the Four Heavenly Kings (guardians of the four cardinal directions). He is later widely worshiped as a temple guardian and known among folk believers as “Honored Dharma Protector Skanda Bodhisattva.”

In temples, Weituo often stands on the far right of the main hall, as if vowing to preserve the Buddhist teachings and protect the devotees. Here, Weituo is portrayed as a white-faced young general in an imposing look. Dressed in splendid armor, he stands in a martial pose with feet apart, resting his hands on his weapon. Epaulets with lion masks decorate his shoulders and boots, and similar masks with pendant ornaments hang over his thighs. Ribbons and scarves billow from the deity, giving his image a sense of movement.