According to legend, Lord Xiqin's skill with the pipa (a type of Chinese lute) prompted the Minghuang Emperor to appoint him as a court musician. On his way to the capital, Lord Xiqin was almost done in by a snake spirit, but a tiger saved his life. That is why the bearded statue of Lord Xiqin is always accompanied by a tiger.
西秦王爺因為善於彈奏琵琶，而被唐明皇召入宮中，在進京途中差點被蛇精所害，所幸有一隻大老虎相救，才不至於喪命，也因此留著長鬍鬚的王爺身邊總有一尊虎爺陪祀。