Zodiac figure of a tiger

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

From the Tang dynasty onward, zodiac animals were routinely given human attributes. Here, the figure is envisioned as a Daoist deity holding the head of a tiger. The large Chinese character wang (king) on the front of his hat signifies his heavenly status.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art