The "Buddhist Four Friends" is a common motif in Buddhist art and symbolism, often depicted as four animals—elephant, monkey, hare, and bird—living together in harmony and cooperation. This motif is also known as "The Four Harmonious Friends" or "The Four Friends of Buddhism." It conveys important moral and ethical teachings in Buddhism. Each animal represents a specific lesson:

Elephant (or sometimes an elephant king): The elephant represents strength and power. In the context of the story, it symbolizes the strength of virtue and righteousness. The elephant is often depicted at the bottom of the stack in illustrations of the Four Friends, as it forms the stable base.

Monkey: The monkey symbolizes intelligence and cleverness. In the story, the monkey represents the wisdom of knowing when and how to act. It often climbs on top of the other animals to reach the fruit from a tree.

Hare (sometimes a rabbit): The hare represents selflessness and sacrifice. In the story, the hare is willing to sacrifice itself by jumping into a fire to feed a hungry guest who turns out to be a deity. The deity is moved by the hare's selfless act and rewards it.

Bird (usually a partridge): The bird symbolizes cooperation and friendship. In the story, the bird helps the other animals by carrying water in its beak to extinguish the fire created by the hare's sacrifice. It represents the importance of working together for a common goal.

The story of the Four Friends teaches several key moral and ethical lessons, such as the value of virtue, wisdom, selflessness, and cooperation. It emphasizes that these qualities, when combined, lead to harmony and positive outcomes. In Buddhist teachings, these qualities are seen as essential for personal and societal well-being, as they contribute to a peaceful and harmonious world.