Statues of the two closely resemble each other and are commonly found together, sometimes flanking temple doors.

In Chinese folk religion, the solar god Taiyang Xingjun is depicted as his incarnation.

"[1] The Record of Awakening and Zen quotes from Volume 1 of the Commentary on the Scripture of the Medicine Buddha (药师经疏): In the past world, during the time of Dipankara, a Brahman (a Hindu priest or ascetic) and his two sons made a shared Bodhisattva vow to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings.

Impressed by their determination, Dipankara advised the Brahman to change his name to "Yao Wang" (Medicine King) and his sons to "Ri Zhao" (Sunlight) and "Yue Zhao" (Moonlight).

After reciting the Great Compassion Mantra, if practitioners can further recite the Moonlight Bodhisattva Dharani, Moonlight Bodhisattva will come to offer protection, enabling the practitioner to eliminate all obstacles and illnesses, accomplish all virtuous dharmas, and stay away from various fears.