Luohans riding lions

Chinese Collection

Accession Nr.: 54.178.1
Type: textile arts
Date of production:
17th century
Ming dynasty
Place of production:
Materials: silk
Techniques: woven
Dimensions: height: 42.5 cm
width: 31 cm
Luohan ("worthy of honours", arhat in Sanskrit): Buddha Shakyamuni first disciples and followers who reached the outmost level of spiritual evolution, the Enlightment. However, they chose to stay in this world in order to preserve his teachings and to give strenght to those with shaken faith until the arrival of Maitreya, the future Buddha.