describe the lion capital of Sarnath

The Lion Capital of Sarnath is a significant sculptural artifact that was created in the 3rd century BCE under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. It was originally erected on top of a pillar at Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. The Lion Capital is carved out of a single block of polished sandstone and is highly symbolic in nature.

This capital features four Asiatic lions seated back to back on a circular abacus. The lions are majestic and symbolize power, courage, pride, and confidence—reflecting the qualities of a ruler. The abacus is decorated with sculptures of animals, including a horse, a bull, an elephant, and a lion, separated by wheels (chakras) with an accompanying dharma chakra. Each animal is believed to represent a different stage in the life of Gautama Buddha: the elephant symbolizes Queen Maya's conception of Buddha when she dreamed of a white elephant; the bull represents desire during the Buddha's life as a prince; the horse signifies Buddha's departure from palatial life; and the lion symbolizes the achievement of enlightenment.

Beneath the abacus, there is an inverted lotus which is a symbol of spiritual purity and enlightenment in Indian art. The four lions, which are only visible from four different angles, can not be seen simultaneously when viewing the sculpture. The entire structure was surmounted originally by a Dharma Chakra (Wheel of the Law), which has not survived, apart from its cylindrical base, which is adorned with intricate reliefs.

The Lion Capital of Sarnath is a powerful emblem in the Indian context. The bottom of the pillar does not survive, but it is known from the inscriptions found at Sarnath that it had inscriptions carrying Emperor Ashoka's edicts. It is also the national emblem of India and the Dharma Chakra from its base has been adopted in the center of the National Flag of India. Its four lions standing back to back have been officially symbolizing power, courage, confidence, and pride since 1950.