Mythical Creatures of Thailand
A Three Headed Erewan Elephant
Mythical Creatures are found all around Thailand but in many cases foreigners to the country simply walk right past them in their sheer excitement as they gingerly make their way through the vast crowds at all the most popular places. Hopefully you are not one of them. Below is a list of all the most important ones. It may be of tremendous interest to you to pause for a while before entering any of the Thai temples to observe these beautifully crafted creatures. Many of the exceptionally fine examples found here, represent fearsome beasts which act as temple guardians. Most of these beings originate from the legendary Himaphan forest, a kind of Buddhist Shangri-La somewhere high in the Himalayan mountains.
A Five Headed Naga Serpent
The Naga is a serpent-like protector of the Buddha and often acts as guardians against bad spirits. They almost always flank the walls of temples or the staircase that leads up them but many can be seen carved on roofs, doors, gables and windows. In some cases they are multi-headed as seen in the photo above. The
Garuda
is a large mythical bird-like creature which appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. It's shape is usually that of half-man and half-bird. The story of Garuda's origins, accomplishments and exploits are told in the very first book of the great epic Mahabharata. A fabulous example of this ferocious figurehead can be viewed on the brow of the gun barge at the
Royal Barge Museum
in Bangkok as well as other specimens at various temple complexes around the country.
Garudas at Wat Phra Kaew Complex
The Kinnari appears in the form of a half-woman and half-bird. You will find some of these mythological figurines in small coves on the second level of the central prang at Wat Arun located alongside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The
Apsonsi
takes the form of a half-woman and half-lion. You will find some of these beautiful gilded figures on the upper terrace of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
Kinnari at Wat Phra Kaew Complex
The Hongsa is a swan-like figure of which a fine example can be viewed on the brow of the king's barge at the Royal Barge Museum in Bangkok. They can also be seen perched on the apex of a temple roof. The Yaksha takes the shape of a grimacing giant statue often sporting brightly coloured faces. They tower above the entrances to temple compounds of which many superb examples can be seen at the Grand Palace Complex in Bangkok. The Makara is an aquatic monster made up of part crocodile, part elephant and part serpent. Symbolizing rainfall, temples depict these creatures on balustrades. The Erewan is a three-headed elephant of which one of biblical proportions can be found at the five-story Erewan Museum in the town of Samut Prakan south of Bangkok. A fine example can be seen in Chiang Mai and another can be viewed on the central tower of the Wat Arun in Bangkok. The
Singha
takes on the appearance of a lion-like figure whose primary function is to guard temples. Larger ones grace temple entrances while other smaller ones sit atop gateposts. The marble temple at
Wat Benchamabophit
in Bangkok has a number of these giants gracing the compound.
Giant Yaksha Statues at the Grand Palace
I would really appreciate anyone who was kind enough to read this article and who may have any other additional information regarding the details described here, to contact me so that I may improve the subject for others and myself. Return from Mythical Creatures to the Home Page
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