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Find out the history and significance of 5 mythical creatures that are often seen in Thai temples!
5 Mythical Creatures In Thai Temples
Thailand’s mythical creatures shape a world of wonder with their presence in the intricate decors and sculptures of Thai temples. Have you ever wondered who is the tiger looking after temple’s doors? Why stairways are decorated with serpent? Or what the half-man-half-beast creature is about? These beings are said to reside in the Himaphan Forest on the slopes of the mythical Mount Meru, which is considered to be the centre of the Buddhist and Hindu cosmos. The forest, and the creatures that dwell there, are described in the sacred Thai Buddhist text which derived from the ancient Hindu text the Ramayana. There are dozens of these mythical creatures that reside in the forest and some of the most commonly depicted in Thai art are the mythical snakes, lions and the swans.