Three waterspouts and a fighter between lion paws (former Lichte collection). Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta district, D.I. Yogyakarta province, 9th century. Possibly 1865 - 1867

Isidore Kinsbergen captured this photograph in the 9th century in Yogyakarta, showing a collection of temple fragments. Notice the fierce protective figure gripped between the lion paws, a guardian with shield and dagger ready to defend. This motif of a figure between paws echoes throughout history, from ancient Near Eastern art to medieval European sculpture. The lion, a symbol of power and courage, becomes a framing device, its paws acting as a threshold. This composition isn't just about protection; it's about the psychological tension between safety and threat. Consider the shield, an emblem found in myriad cultures. In this Javanese context, it's not merely a tool for defense but a symbol deeply embedded in rituals of protection. The act of bearing a shield becomes a ritual in itself, echoing ancestral customs and beliefs. Like a dream, these symbols recur, each time with a nuanced shift in meaning.