English: A Yali – also referred to as Vyala or Sardula – is a mythological creature formed from the fusion of a leonine form with one or more other land, water or bird creature. They represent a strength, protective power and fierceness greater than each individual creature embodied. Example fusions include combinations of the body of lion or tiger with parts of body of elephant trunk or feet or tusk, a horse with front legs raised, a bird with wings or beak, crocodile legs or teeth, horns of a bull, and portions of other fearless creatures. They are particularly common as an architectural element, statue and relief in temples, mandapas, and dynastic emblems (e.g. above). One of their uses is to break the monotony of empty spaces or separate depicted scenes and panels or parts of a mandapa. They are also found in fables and epics, some versions on the side of good, some evil. Above: Item found in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh; c. 12th century