Lokapala, usually called in Chinese tianwang, or "heavenly kings", were guardians of the universe. Dressed in elaborate military attire, they are frequently depicted in pairs or groups of four. In the latter case, one figure was associated with each of the four cardinal directions

These guardians became especially popular in the Tang period when they were made in large numbers as tomb guardians, as well as attendants of main Buddha images in temples. They themselves came to be popular cult images. In post-Tang temples they can be seen installed in a separate worship hall, usually near the entrance

At Longmen, many of the Tang caves have two tianwang guardians, most notably the Fengxiansi Cave. One of the present figures, standing with one leg bent and foot resting on the head of the demon, resembles the colossal guardians of the Fengxiansi Cave. The other figure may also be compared to examples in the Longhuasi and Jinan Caves. See 'Longmen wenwu baoguan suo' and 'Beijing daxue kaoguxi', Zhongguo shiku (Chugoku sekkutsu): Longmen shiku, vol. 2, Tokyo and Beijing, Heibonsha and Wenwu Press, 1988, pls. 127, 181, 187 and 188