The lion-headed dakini is an attendant of Penden Lhamo, one of the Eight Guardians of Tibetan Buddhism. Simhavaktra Dakini strides in the sea of blood that represents samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death. Together with the crocodile-headed dakini, Simhavaktra Dakini accompanies Penden Lhamo in her efforts to liberate living beings. Simhavaktra Dakini holds a curved chopping knife, which cuts off the delusions that keep living beings trapped in the endless cycle. She is naked except for the flayed human skin on her back representing her triumph over the limitations of the human condition, and the wheel on her belly symbolizing the teachings of the Buddha.
