King Kong Rex

King Kong Rex

This sculpture is the Buddhist King Kong Hercules (also known as the two generals of hum and ha), which is the patron saint of Buddhist temples and usually appears in pairs to defend the entrance to the temple. Its image usually has strong muscles and an angry face, symbolizing the power of Buddhism to protect it from evil. This style is common in the stone carving art of the Chinese Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD) or the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Such limestone statues have also been unearthed at sites such as the Longmen Grottoes. In some museum collections (such as the Litberg Museum in Zurich), a statue of the Northern Qi King Kong with a similar missing arm can be seen.
King Kong Lex Hum

King Kong Lex Hum

The door gods are known in Japan as the Kongers, and their role is to protect the temple and Buddhism. Door gods (Niō) usually appear in pairs, with one mouth open and one mouth closed. Those who open their mouths are called A, and those who close their mouths are called Hum. Corresponds to the second generals of Chinese Buddhism. These two names stand for the first and last syllables in Sanskrit, symbolizing the beginning and end of all things. The pair of statues are now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
King Kong, Hercules

King Kong, Hercules

The door gods are known in Japan as the Kongers, and their role is to protect the temple and Buddhism. Door gods (Niō) usually appear in pairs, with one mouth open and one mouth closed. Those who open their mouths are called A, and those who close their mouths are called Hum. Corresponds to the second generals of Chinese Buddhism. These two names stand for the first and last syllables in Sanskrit, symbolizing the beginning and end of all things. The pair of statues are now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.