art and Hindu art, and often seen in Jain art. Originating in Indian art, it followed Indian religions to East Asia in particular. In imperial China, a stone tortoise called bixi was traditionally used as the pedestal for important stele, especially those associated with emperors. According to the 1396 version of the regulations issued by the Ming Dynasty founder, the Hongwu Emperor, the highest nobility (those of the gong and hou ranks) and the officials of the top 3 ranks were eligible for bixi-based funerary tablets, while lower-level mandarins' steles were to stand on simple rectangular pedestals. See also Pedestal desk Pedestal table, a table with a single central leg Tray Ozen An (Shinto) Notes References Architectural elements Sculpture terms