The 12 beasts probably corresponded to the 12 months in the year and also to 12 points of the compass, and expressed the prayer that each month would pass safely and that the disease demons would be driven out from all quarters.
這十二神獸應就是照應一年的十二個月分，也表示照應十二方位，以求月月平安，驅除四方疫鬼。