The beautiful murals of Suphan Buri
Lovers of archaeology, history and painting can indulge themselves in the 31 temples of Suphan Buri, a province in central Thailand.
There are countless beautiful ones murals to be admired, painted in the time of King Rama V (1868-1910) and later. They relate to Buddhism, everyday life and the traditions of the times in which they were made.
On display are images from the life of the Buddha, jataka stories of Buddha's previous ten incarnations, the Chulamanee Chedi, the pagoda in heaven where Buddha's hair and teeth lie, and the story of Phra Malai, a monk who visited heaven and hell and goes to the time of Phra Sri Ariya Metrai traveled, the next Buddha.
But everyday scenes are also depicted, ordinary people, foreigners in Siam and important people such as kings and Devas (guardian spirits) and their palaces, with personal belongings and animals covered in gold leaf, a style popular in the time of Rama III.
The animals are real animals, such as deer, elephants and birds, but also mythical animals from the Himaphan Forest such as Narasimha, half-man, half-lion and Kinnaree (female) and Kinnorn (male), both half-bird.
Furthermore, the five Buddhas are depicted: Gautama Buddha, the three who lived before him, while number 5 is a future Buddha named Phra Sri Ariya Mettrai.
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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About the first image.
At the top we see heaven with triumphant angels and gods, in the middle the Buddha with his disciples, all adorned with crowns and floating or reclining on beds, and at the very bottom the humble folk crouching and bowing half-naked on the bare ground.
That is how the world is described in the ancient Buddhist scripture, Traiphum. Trai is the same as us 'three' and phum is 'land, area' as in Bhumibol ('The Leader of the Land') and Suwannaphumi ('The Golden Land')
Dear editors,
A very nice tip.
I'll definitely take a closer look at this.
This summer we will go on a tour by car as usual with us.
We have already followed some of these tips and have really liked them.
People often think of old dusty things which is boring, but the opposite
is true.
I used to find this very interesting at school and history is “absolutely” not boring.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
what kind of paint was it painted with?