16/03/2023
Mythical creatures in Thailand.
More than 80 creatures explained.
➡️ https://www.explore-bangkok.com/mythical-creatures-in-thailand/
✅ Garuda
Also called “Krut” (Thai: ครุฑ). Probably the most important creature in the Himmapan forest is the Garuda. Garuda is the king of birds, half man and half bird, the vehicle of Vishnu, a Hindu god. Descriptions of Garuda vary from legend to legend. He is usually depicted as having the head, beak, wings and talons of an eagle. With the torso like that of a human. His face is white, his wings red and his body golden and shiny.
✅ Hongsa
Although there are many appearances of Hongsa in Thai architecture, little is known about its origin. According to ancient murals, pictures and sculptures, Hongsa shares the same characteristics as a swan. In the Hindu religion, Hongsa is also the vehicle of Lord Brahma.
✅ Erawan
The Erawan elephant is said to be the most powerful of all. It is described as a huge elephant with a silvery white body, with 33 heads, each with 7 long ivory tusks. Each of its tusks is 16 million meters long, so huge that it can house 7 large lotus ponds, in each tusk also live thousands of angels and their servants. It is quite rare to see the complete version of the elephant Erawan with 33 heads, instead, many artists prefer to draw Erawan as a 3 headed elephant.
✅ Naga
Also called Phaya Nak (Thai: พญานาค). The Naga is often featured in Thai architecture and is frequently depicted giving comfort and shade to the meditating Buddha, with the coils of the large snake acting as a cushion while the many heads act as an umbrella.
✅ Kinnaree
(Thai: กินรี). Thep Kinnaree is one of the most beautiful beings in the Himmapan. Described as a beautiful half-woman, half-swan creature, with the head and torso of a woman, but underneath the delicately tapered waist, she has the body, tail and legs of a swan. Kinnaree also has human arms and the wings of a swan. The Kinnaree has a male counterpart (the Kinnara or Kinna Norn) and is similar in form. The Kinnaree is often depicted in sculptures, traditional architecture and temple murals.
