Originating from the Weibei, Shaanxi Province, these stone hitching posts are a unique form of folk stone carving art from northern China. Historically, wealthy families erected them in front of their gates. Carved from durable bluestone blocks, they were arranged in pairs or rows to tether horses and mules. Beyond their practical use, they served as integral architectural elements and status symbols—the quantity and intricacy of the carvings reflected the family’s wealth.  

Each post is a tall rectangular stone pillar, which divided into three sections: the head, the neck and the body. The head features intricate carvings of animals, human figures or traditional patterns. The bottom of the pillars were buried underground, the head of the pillars varies, according to different families. They used a lot of symbols of luck and fortune in these pillars. Stone lions are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the household. Stone monkeys are symbolized rapid promotion to nobility ”hóu” "marquis". The rope holes are typically carved into the front limbs of the stone lions. These posts blend practicality, artistry, and symbolism, offering a window into traditional northern Chinese aesthetics and social hierarchies.