Lak Mueang
Lak mueang (Thai: หลักเมือง, pronounced [làk mɯ̄a̯ŋ]) are city pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง, [sǎːn làk mɯ̄a̯ŋ]) which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang (เจ้าพ่อหลักเมือง, [t͡ɕâw pʰɔ̂ː làk mɯ̄a̯ŋ]), the city spirit deity. It was constructed because the continuation of ancient traditions and Brahman's customs believed that it has something to do with the Held, the single city pillar ceremony (Held “Lak Muang”) which is made of an Acacia wood Chaiyaphreuk (Thai: ชัยพฤกษ์) before the construction of the city for a major goal to build a city and to be the centre of soul for the citizens.
It was probably King
Outside Bangkok
Shortly after the shrine in Bangkok, similar shrines were built in strategic provinces to symbolise central power, such as in
The building style of the shrines varies. Especially in provinces with a significant
The Bangkok city pillar shrine
Bangkok's city pillar shrine (also known as san lak muang) is one of the most ancient, sacred, and magnificent city pillar shrines in Thailand. It is believed that people will achieve prosperity and fulfillment in their work and career, avoid misfortune, and improve their luck, power, and prestige if they bow and pay their respects at this sacred place. The shrine is in the heart of Bangkok, opposite the grand palace in the southeast corner of the
"Chaiyapreuk" (acacia) means "tree of victory". This wood was used by Thai locals to build a pillar 270 centimetres (110 in) high, buried 200 centimetres (79 in) deep, making a total height of 470 centimetres (190 in), and 74 centimetres (29 in) in diameter. Inside was a horoscope for Bangkok. However, the shrine was renovated several times during the reigns of Kings Rama IV and Mongkut, and then became dilapidated. The king therefore ordered the excavation of the old pillar and construction of a replacement, with a new horoscope for the city placed inside. In 1852 the new pillar was installed, measuring 5.115 metres (201.4 in) tall, 47 centimetres (18.8 in) in diameter at the bottom, with a base 180 centimetres (71 in) wide. Both old and new pillars were moved to a refurbished pavilion with a spire (prang) modelled on the shrine of
According to the In–Chan–Mun–Kong legend of the shrine, Thai locals believed that the construction of the shrine required the sacrifice of four people after the proclamation of the words "in–chan–mun–kong" all over the city ("in" from the north, "chan" from the south, "mun" from the east, and "kong" from the west). Anyone who responded was captured, brought to the ceremonial location, and buried in a hole. Their spirits would guard and protect the city. This is only a myth and is not recorded in the chronicles.[5]
People usually use three incense sticks, one candle, gold foil, two lotus flowers, two flower garlands, and one three-colour taffeta to worship at the shrine.
Gallery
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Sadu Mueang Chiang Rai
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Prachuap Khiri Khan City Pillar Shrine
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Flowers are offered to the city pillar during theInthakinFestival in Chiang Mai
See also
References
- ^ "Women's prison to make way for city shrine". Pattaya Mail. 1 May 2008.
- ^ "Thai Oil donates 1 million baht to Chonburi pillar project". Pattaya Mail. 30 September 2010.
- ^ Charoensakwattana, Supachai (16 January 2017). "สถาปัตยกรรมทางการเมืองไทยก่อนการรัฐประหาร 19 กันยา 49" [Thai political architectures before the 19 September 2006 coup]. Prachatai (in Thai).
- ^ "ศาลหลักเมืองกรุงเทพมหานคร (Bangkok City Pillar Shrine)".
- ^ S. Plainoi. "พิธีฝังคนทั้งเป็นในหลุมหลักเมือง" [buried living human ritual in the whole of city pillar]. Sarakadee Magazine (in Thai).
- Peter A. Reichark (2007). The Spirit Houses of Thailand. White Lotus Press. ISBN 978-974-480-103-6.
- "The power of city pillars(http://www.chiangmai1.com/news/city-pillars.shtml)".
- "Lak Muang Bangkok's City Pillar(http://www.thailandsworld.com/.../index.cfm)".[permanent dead link]
- "Bangkok City Pillar Shrine(http://www.catandnat.com/.../bangkok-city-pillar-shrine...)".[permanent dead link]
- "Bangkok City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Muang)(http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/...)".[permanent dead link]
- "The City Pillar Shrine,Bangkok(http://templesinbangkok.com/city-pillar-shrine/)".
Further reading
- Terwiel, B.J. (July 1978). "The origin and meaning of the Thai 'city pillar'" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. 66 (2): 159–71.