Monday, April 30, 2007

The Emerald Buddha in Wat phra kaew

The Emerald Buddha is wearing his summer season costume

The Emerald Buddha is wearing his rainy season costume

The Emerald Buddha is wearing his winter season costume


The
Emerald Buddha is carved from a large piece of green jade. Its size is 48.3 centimeters wide at the knees and 66 centimeters high. The image is in a seated position in the attitude of meditation. Judging from its style, it was made in northern Thailand, not much earlier than the 15th century, and belongs to the late Chiang Saen School. King Rama I had the Emerald Buddha transferred from Thonburi, the from capital of Thailand, to the present site in 1784. He placed it high on a golden throne made of gilt carved wood. The image has three costumes, one for each season—one for summer, one for winter, and one for the rainy season, all made of gold and jewelry. The ceremony of changing the costumes of the Emerald Buddha takes place three times a year, with the King performing the ceremony.

related link : Brief history of emerald buddha


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