I keep seeing pictures of this warring figure on the walls of the old Chinese temples?

Question

... sometimes I enter the old chinese temples just out of curiosity, and I see all these old old paintings of some kind of soldier or general in armor, and in some pictures he is fighting with a creature, in others he is sitting on a horse, or carrying a spear or sword of some sort.. and he has a fierce expression on his face (but he is human, not a dragon or anything like that).... 

 

who is this guy? can someone of the traditional chinese religion or buddhist enlighten me on this?

Answer 1

This figure is one of the Four Heavenly Kings who serve as protectors of the Buddhist teaching. These mythical figures represent the fierce energy that is sometimes required to maintain Buddhist teaching in the face of challenges.

 

There are four of these figures, one for each of the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). They often are shown trampling small human or demon-like figures that represent delusion, anger, and desire.

 

Here's a short Wikipedia article on these fellows:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings

Answer 2

yes i notice Him too. He looks really gagah one. i saw tattoos on ppl bodies too tattoos of Him. Maybe He is God of War or smthg. ;)

 

Answer 3

sounds like our yammer 'smartass' but im not sure