Diorama of Love-Suicides

Dongba Culture Museum, Lijiang, Yunnan province

The Naxi had a tradition of love-suicide, in which thwarted lovers would commit suicide so that they could be together in the afterlife. Similar traditions are recognized in Japan, and in Europe (think Romeo and Juliet). Altars like this would be set up for the lovers' souls, so that they might find peace in the afterlife.