Amazing Thai Mythologies
Naga Serpents recieving a coat of Paint
Amazing Thai MythologiesNaga Serpent FiguresVery seldom do you come across such amazing Thai features both tangible and mythical as you do in one of South East Asia's most highly respected countries. Take for instance the enigmatic Naga serpent figures found throughout Thailand.They are almost over-looked by western tourists in the mayhem and excitement that exists here. These magnificent creatures are everywhere yet we know and hear very little about them. Next time you are in Thailand, take that little bit of extra time to look around and I'm sure you'll get to appreciate their fine beauty. Naga figures whether sculptured from wood, stone, bronze or any other material, are serpent like creatures that act as protective guardians against evil spirits. They often flank the walls of temples or the staircases leading up to them. Many can be seen carved on roofs, doors, gables and windows. Nagas are understood to control rainfall and are worshiped as water givers during Songkran festivities. The protective powers of nagas are also shown when Mucilinda, the king of the nagas, grows several heads to offer shelter to the Buddha from a thunderstorm.
Jataka Tale of a Deceitful Bird
Amazing Thai MythologiesThe Deceitful BirdThough the significance of nagas are deep-rooted throughout Buddhist Asia, their meanings may vary slightly from country to country. They often overlap between Buddhism and Hinduism. In Buddhism, their origins can be traced back to an episode in the jataka tales in which a garuda or mythical bird will attempt to attack and subdue a naga that tries to protect the Buddha. The successful intervention of the naga will then allow it to become the Buddha's guardian.The Jataka Tales have references to various Asian languages but in typical Thai tradition, they are uniquely known as Chadok. They refer to a voluminous body of folklore-like literature concerning the previous births of the Buddha. Chadok or Jataka is specifically attributed to a division of text concerning the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism which includes the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka. Nagas can be seen at the unusual Disney Land type theme park of
Wat Khack
in Nong Khai, a samall town in northeast Thailand. The park is filled with many bizarre and bewildering sculptures including the seven-headed naga.
A Bright Naga Serpent Temple Guard
Amazing Thai MythologiesSrivijaya Buddhist EmpireDiscoveries of some temple remains as well as a number of exquisite bronze and stone statues depicting remnants of the Srivijaya Buddhist Empire, can clearly be seen at the somewhat dreary railroad town of Chaiya. Chaiya is a small town situated in the Surat Thandi Province just off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand.Many fine examples of these superb sculptures found here date back as far as the 7th to 13th century. They show Mon and Indian influences of the Srivijaya period with figures such as Bengali-style Buddha images and multi-armed Hindu deities. These along with a variety of votive tablets can all be viewed at the Chaiya National Museum as well as many at the National Museum in Bangkok.
Naga Serpents at Wat Srisoka Chiang Mai
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