Guardian figures stood at pyramids, temples, gateways, and other important Egyptian, Maya, and Chinese buildings.
For instance in Egypt, guardian figures are supposed to protect Egyptian art.
In china, Chinese or Imperial guardian lions constitute a traditional Chinese architectural ornament and these are also found in front of Buddhist temples, buildings and some Hindu temples (in Nepal) across Asia including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia and Laos.