An Armor stand is a block entity added in Java Edition 1.8 that allows players to equip armor items on it. It closely resembles an average-sized human in appearance and can be placed on the ground or on top of other blocks. Players can interact with the armor stand by right-clicking on it, which will open a GUI where they can equip armor pieces in the designated slots. Armor stands can be rotated and posed in various positions by right-clicking and dragging, providing players with a dynamic way to display their armor.
Armor stands serve several crucial purposes in Minecraft gameplay. Primarily, they enable players to showcase their collected armor sets aesthetically, offering a visual representation of their achievements. Additionally, armor stands can be utilized to craft custom player skins, allowing players to design unique appearances for their in-game avatars. Furthermore, they hold practical applications in map-making and adventure mode, where they can be employed to create interactive elements and challenges.