Sandakadapahana, also known as Moon-stone, is a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakadapahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy period. According to historians, the sandakadapahana symbolizes the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism.

The carvings of the semi-circular stone slab were the same in every sandakada pahana. A half lotus was carved in the center, which was enclosed by several concentric bands. The first band from the half lotus is decorated with a procession of swans, followed by a band with an intricate foliage design known as liyavel. The third band has carvings of four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and bulls. These four animals follow each other in a procession symbolizing the four stages in life: growth, energy, power, and forbearance. The fourth and outermost band contains a carving of flames, usually interpreted as representing a fire altar.