>>44729796>>44731175>>44731558>>44731582Here is another one: a common design element in buddhism is hanguing earlobes. Sources vary on wether it's meant to represent the Buddha giving up his royal earrings (ie his previous lifestyle) or symbolic of him listening to all the problems in the world, or both. This motif is so common even monsters may have them.
Lucario takes inspiration on the fighting monk archtype, usually based on buddhism, it's essentially a furry Medicham. With this in mind, the hanguing lobes in Riolu and Lucario are likely meant to help them perceive (listen to) emotions or "aura". They wouldn't even be the only ones:
Jirachi, Medicham and Mesprit all have similar hanguing lobes, and they all "perceive" something. Jirachi listwns to people's wishes, Medicham's predicts its opponent's next move, and Mesprit is the source of emotions and likely an empath.
