Although many Ashoka pillars were built, but today only 19 are left with inscriptions. Of these, the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath is the most famous. The top part of this column is called Sinha-Gurmukh. There are four Indian lions standing back-to-back in this statue. The Ashoka Pillar is still located in its original place but its head is kept in the museum of Sarnath. This lion's head has been accepted as the national symbol of India. The Dharmachakra in the center of its base is placed in the middle white strip in the national flag of India.
In these pillars, four lions are sitting one behind the other. Today it has been adopted as a national emblem. These four lions are a symbol of strength, bravery, pride and belief.
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Ashoka stambh was adopted as national emblem of india on 26 january 1950. It used in indian government offcial work and also a part of indian currency.
Beside lion some other animals also depicted on the stambh _ an elephant ,a bull and a horse.
- Elephant represent ( a dreamt of buddha's mother ( mahamaya) saw before the birth of buddha. A white elephant is entering in his mom's womb).
- A Bull represent zodiac sign (taurus) of lord buddha.
- The horse represent buddha's horse(Kanthaka).Which he rode at the time of of leaving the palace to discover the truth and the meaning of life.
- The lion represent the achievement of enlightenment.