Tigers have long been viewed as important symbols for thousands of years in Asia. Ancient art, like the painting above, use tigers as the symbol of Yin in "Yin and Yang". The Yin stands for darkness, passiveness, water, wind, and the earth. The tiger is shown crouching low to the ground, ready to pounce, which represents the earth being the tiger's territory and her strength as being her quiet power.
The more modern art involving tigers is much more realistic looking, and very well done. This painting is showing the tiger in a crouched stance in water, similar to the crouched stance in the ancient painting of the tiger representing Yin. The symbolism for the Yin may not be explicitly stated in this painting, but the message is the same of the tiger being one with the earth and having her quiet strength showing through her gaze.
Sources: http://www.artsmia.org/education/teacher-resources/objectinfocus_d.cfm?p=1&v=33#
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