Nestorian Stele The Nestorian Stele is a large limestone block inscribed with a text detailing the early history of Christianity in China. At the top a Christian cross arising out of a white cloud (a characteristic Daoist symbol) and a lotus flower (an enduring Buddhist image) illustrate the blended character of this Christian experiment in China. (Photographer: Dr Hugh Houghton, © The University of Birmingham, UK. Reproduced with permission)