Perhaps the most important realm in Thai mythology, Himapan Forest is the invisible woodland believed to exist in the Himalayas on the border between India and Nepal, just below the equally legendary Buddhist heaven. The legendary forest is home to a large number of mythical beasts that have become symbols of exemplary Thai traits. Some of these fabulous creatures are described below.
* GARUDA: copyright law and the supremacy *
Half human and half bird, Garuda has the torso and arms of a man and the head, wings, tail and legs of an eagle. The king of all birds is the favored mount of Vishnu, Hindu deity shared by both Thai and faiths. The Thai people honor Garuda as a symbol of royalty and supremacy. In fact, he represents the Thai monarchy or government, and the yield of an artist's majestic creature appears on banknotes and Thai royal flag of Thailand.
* HASADEE NOK: Ambivalence and Balance *
A gigantic elephant-headed bird, Nok Hasadee inhabits the tangled, thorny rattan-cane areas Himapan, where he patiently waits in camouflage for ungulates, its favorite prey. During heavy rains, especially when it is neither furious nor famished, Nok Hasadee fancies making noise by playing an enormous 'khawng Yai wong' or, simply, smelling the scent of wood with his trunk. This is the reason many Thai natives, especially those of the Central Plains, view time as one of Nok Hasadee's destructive pranks. However, they describe him as a paradoxical character-playful, but lonely, childlike yet predatory.
* NAGA: Comfort and Safety *
A multi serpent whose main head sports a beard and wearing a crown has a typical Thai, Naga inhabits the densest part of Himapan Forest. It's half brother still a sworn enemy of Garuda. Naga is a familiar pattern in Thai architecture, featured frequently on stair handrails of many temples. Thailanders regard the serpent as a symbol of comfort and safety.
* PRANORN PUGGSA: Agility and Dexterity *
The Thai people derived the name of this creature from Thai pranorn terms' (monkey) and 'Pugg' (bird or bird). Pranorn Puggsa a monkey head, torso and front legs, lower body of a bird, and a prehensile tail feather. Ambidextrous, is excellent in climbing trees, going from branch to branch with agility. Pranorn Puggsa fancies mangoes and apples. People describe him as "the tireless and lively inhabitant Himapan Forest.
* Rajas: grandeur and magnificence *
People depict rajas, the king of fierce forest mammals, as a lion whose mane, tail and feet are burning with flames of gold. Most inhabitants of terror Himapan Forest lion king not for his slyness but for his glory. Although Rajas symbolizes grandeur and magnificence Thailanders many, especially those living in the North, blamed him for forest fires.
* KINNARI: grace and elegance *
Half human and half bird, Kinnari the head, torso and arms of a beautiful woman and the wings, tail and feet of a swan. Her voice is enchanting and her gait pretty. It is sometimes depicted playing a 'khryang Ditt,' making her a patroness of dance, poetry and music. Many Thai parents encourage their daughters to emulate the grace and elegance of the swan lady. A favorite subject of artists, form pretty Kinnari often appears in sculptures and murals.
* Kinnon-NUA: speed and Serenity *
Partly human and partly Artiodactyla, Kinnon-ues has the torso and arms of a muscular man and the horns and the lower body of a deer. The creature is around quickly Himapan Forest seasonally, safeguarding the kingdom endangered fauna and flora and promoting serenity. Whereas the satyr of Greek mythology plays the fistula, Kinnon-ues plays the 'pi chaw.' The Thai native Sylvan readily see it as a symbol of nature.
© 2004 elf ideas
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