This towering chinthe -- a mythical lion-guardian of Burmese Buddhist tradition -- stands watch at the base of Mandalay Hill, a sacred site crowned with pagodas and shrines. Photographed and preserved by an American serviceman stationed in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II, this image reflects the cultural encounters of Allied troops with the rich religious heritage of Burma amid the hardships of the Burma campaign. Chinthe statues, often placed in guardian pairs, remain iconic symbols of Burmese sacred architecture to this day. Project: 218075