1 Kings 7:25
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
The great basin was set high upon twelve oxen fashioned of bronze. Three of the animals faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, so that each of the four directions was met by an equal group. All twelve stood with their rear portions turned inward toward the center under the basin. The basin itself was placed above them to serve as the washing place for the priests.