Sandakada pahana

Sandakada Pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the architecture of ancient Sri Lanka.

These four animals follow each other in a procession symbolising the four noble truths (Chathurarya sathya) or the four stages in life: birth, old age, disease and death.

The fourth and outermost band contains a carving of flames,[5] usually interpreted as representing the never ending cycle of life and the pains of passion that the people are experiencing.

[5] An invasion by Rajendra I in 1017 AD brought a large part of the country under the control of the Chola empire.

[7][8] The country was under Chola rule until 1055 AD,[9] and the Sri Lankan culture was heavily influenced by South Indian customs and traditions, including the Hindu religion.

The bull, the vehicle of the god Shiva, is a venerated animal in Hinduism, and therefore was removed from the sandakada pahana since it was a place where people tread upon.

[12] By the time of the Gampola and Kandy Kingdoms, the design of the sandakada pahana had changed drastically.

The liyavel symbolise worldly desires (Taṇhā) and the lotus depicts the final achievement of Nirvana.