I always find it very interesting to investigate how cultures have come into being and how they have influenced each other. There is hardly any culture that has not adopted norms, values and ideas from another culture to a greater or lesser extent. Of course often accompanied by certain adjustments, sometimes in a completely wrong way. That is also why I think that a 'pure' culture cannot exist.
There is therefore no 'Thai' culture, but there are various cultures in Thailand that have changed over the centuries, sometimes drastically and sometimes less. That is what I find fascinating about the concept of 'culture'. So let's take a look at that "typical, unique and real" Thai greeting: sawasdee.
The origin and meaning of 'sawasdee'
'Sawasdee', also 'sawatdee', is สวัสดี (sà-wàt-dee, two low tones, and a middle tone) in Thai script. This greeting was introduced in 1935 at Chulalongkorn University by Professor Phraya Upakit Silpasarn. In 1940, General Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram adopted this greeting in a series of cultural mandates. These mandates had a wide scope and were intended to show that Thailand was a modern, developed society. For example, everyone had to wear a hat outside the home, men had to wear long trousers and women had to wear a skirt. And the previously customary greetings such as 'have you eaten yet?' (กินข้าวหรือยั, kin khâaw rǔu yang) and 'where are you going?' (ไปไหน, pai nǎi) were no longer acceptable by state means. And so 'sawasdee' became the standard polite greeting in Thailand.
But where does the word come from if it is not Thai in origin? 'sawasdee' is a Sanskrit word: स्वस्तिक (swastika), and means 'life force, prosperity, happiness'. Whoever (as a man) pronounces 'sà-wàs-die khráb' or (as a woman) 'sà-wàs-die khá', wishes the other person much happiness and strength.
Swastika
The symbol for this Sanskrit word (svastika) is the swastika. This can be either left- or right-turning: 卍 卐 . It is mainly used in Asia as a Hindu and Buddhist tradition and can be found on many Buddha statues.
The swastika has been found for many thousands of years, spread across the entire Eurasian continent. For example, the swastika was found in France, where it was scratched into rocks about seven thousand years ago. At the beginning of the 20th century, the swastika was used in various places in Europe as a sign of happiness and prosperity. In 1920, the German fascists ran away with the swastika as a symbol for the 'superior Aryan race'. Incidentally, the word 'Aryan' comes from the Sanskrit word 'ariya', which means 'civilized'. Since then, the sacred swastika has become known in the West as the 'hakstik' and this evokes great horror.
Resources and more:
- Swastika (symbol) – Wikipedia
- The ancient symbol that was hijacked by evil
- WHAT DOES “SAWATDEE” ACTUALLY MEAN?
- Thai cultural mandates – Wikipedia
About this blogger
-
Born in 1944 in Delfzijl as the son of a simple shopkeeper. Studied in Groningen and Curacao. Worked as a doctor in Tanzania for three years, then as a general practitioner in Vlaardingen. A few years before my retirement I married a Thai lady, we had a son who speaks three languages well.
Lived in Thailand for almost 20 years, first in Chiang Kham (Phayao province) then in Chiang Mai where I liked to bother all kinds of Thai with all kinds of questions. Followed Thai extracurricular education after which a diploma of primary school and three years of secondary school. Did a lot of volunteer work. Interested in the Thai language, history and culture. Have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years now together with my son and often with his Thai girlfriend.
Read the latest articles here
HistoryMay 5, 2025King Ananda's life, death and aftermath
LanguageApril 23, 2025Sweet, sweet-naughty words and some swear words in Thai
BackgroundApril 17, 2025The meaning of 'sawasdee': how cultures influence and change each other
News from ThailandApril 9, 2025Phitsanulok Naresuan University scientist Paul Chambers jailed on suspicion of lèse-majesté
Thanks for this interesting explanation of an 'everyday' word.
Much appreciated,
Peter
Thanks for the explanation. We also noticed that the sign is on Buddha statues. Now we know what it means.
Very interesting. I knew it was introduced not so long ago (well, 90 years), but I didn't know the real meaning. I had never thought of looking it up. But when it is told so beautifully, it is certainly fun.