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Home , Coronation Day, Great Crown of Victory, Rama I, Royal Barge Procession, Sword of Victory

The Royal

he offering of the Royal Regalia to the King as Ceremony. of Indra; the Red-wool Cloth represents the Khanthamat performed in the Royal Coronation Ceremony is According to the book of protocol concerning the Royal Mountain of the Sumerumat Range; the represents Ta traditional practice from Brahmanism. The chief Coronation Ceremony of the King, it states the ceremonial the wisdom to cut through misunderstanding; the Six- , or Phra Maha Ratcha Khru, gives the address articles to be used consist of: the Great , the Royal tiered Umbrella refers to the sixth level of heaven; and offering the Royal Regalia to the King. The Royal Regalia Clothes made of red wool, the Sword, the Tiered Umbrella the Golden Slippers are a reference of royal support to is considered the most important symbol of the Kingship, and the Golden Slippers. Each item holds a symbolic mean- all subjects living in the royal kingdom, just as the earth and it is essential that it be offered to the King in the Royal ing. The Great Crown refers to the high heavenly abode is a support to the Sumerumat Mountain.

The Royal Nine-tiered The Royal Scepter or Umbrella of State or “Than Phra Kon” The original scepter was made during the the “Nophapadon reign of His Majesty King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok ( I). Its staff was made of Javanese Cassia wood. The finial was Maha Saweta Chatra” in the form of a trident and was gilded with gold, as was its iron hilt inlaid with The nine layers of the tiered umbrella are made of white gold. It was named “Than Phra Kon,” but originally was named “Than Phra Kon cloth; each tier hangs into three layers trimmed with gold Ratchaphruek,” or “Royal Staff made of Javanese Cassia wood.” In the reign of bands. The umbrella is topped with a finial. King Rama IV His Majesty King (Rama IV), His Majesty ordered a new scepter to be ordered the Great Tiered Umbrella to be covered with white cloth, instead of ‘tash’ made of pure gold. The staff was designed to hide a sword within and it had the cloth (silk woven with threads wrapped in gold or silver thread.) It is the most figure of a deity on its finial. The scepter was called “Phra Saeng Sanao,” and important article of the whole set of Royal Regalia. His Majesty King Rama IX also called “Than Phra Kon Thewarup” or “The Royal Staff with a Deity.” This ordered it to be presented while he was at the Atha Disa Udumbara Raja Asana scepter is more a sword than royal staff, and His Majesty preferred using this new Throne, after the Anointment Ceremony. scepter than the old one. However, His Majesty King (Rama VI), due to his royal admiration of heritage objects, brought back the original scepter for use again in the Royal Coronation Ceremony, and the “Than Phra Kon Thewarup” was not included in the ceremony of that period. The Great Crown of Victory or “Phra Maha The Royal Fan Phichai Mongkut” and Fly Whisk or The crown was made by the royal command of King and ornamented with diamonds set in gold enamel. “Walawichani” The whole crown is 66 centimetres high and weighs 7.3 kilograms. King Rama IV later ordered the “Phum Khao The “Walawichani” made in the reign of Bin” tip of the crown replaced with a large diamond, His Majesty King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok bought from Kolkata, India. The diamond was named “Phra Maha Wichian Mani.” (Rama I) was the form of a fan made of a palm leaf, and was so-called a palm-leaf Long Live The King In previous days, the crown was considered the next most important item in fan. The rim of the fan was trimmed with gold and the rod was made of enamelled the whole set of Royal Regalia, following the Nine-tiered Umbrella in importance. gold. Originally it was called “Phatchani Fak Makham” or the “Fan in the shape Upon receiving the crown, the King only placed the crown next to himself. But of a tamarind-pod.” The meaning of its name was reconsidered by His Majesty later, when Siam had more contact with European countries and reviewed their King Mongkut (Rama IV) who recognised that for the name “Walawichani,” taken from the Pali language, use of a palm leaf fan may not be the correct inter- ROYAL CORONATION royal procedures, Siam changed the status of the crown. In Europe, the status of Kingship is bestowed when the King puts on the crown. Therefore, when King pretation. It referred more to a whisk-like item, made from the hair of a yak, as Rama IV was coronated and presented with the crown, His Majesty placed the the word “Wala” meant the hair of one type of a cow, an animal that Thais called crown upon his head and gave an audience to the foreign diplomatic corps while “Chammari.” Hence, His Majesty King Rama IV ordered a fly whisk to be made wearing it. From then on, the Great Crown of Victory was reconsidered as the most with the hair of a yak and to be included in the Royal Regalia. In a later period, important article of all the Royal Regalia and every King will wear this crown in yak hair was replaced with the hair from the white elephant’s tail, and the name His Majesty King Maha the Royal Coronation Ceremony. was changed to the White Elephant Fly Whisk. But as it would be deemed inap- propriate not to use the original royal Palm-Leaf Fan, His Majesty ordered the use of both the Palm-Leaf Fan and the “Chammari Fly Whisk,” and together had them called the “Walawichani.” Bodindradebayavarangkun The MAY 4 - 6, 2019 or “Phra Saeng The Royal Slippers Khan Sri” or “Chalong Phrabat With the greatest respect The News offers its heartfelt This sword was presented to His Majesty King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok (Rama I) from Chao Phraya Abhai Bhubes (Ban) brought by an official sent from Choeng Ngon” in 1784. His Majesty King Rama I ordered a cover to be made for it. congratulations to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn The hilt and sheath were ornamented in gold enamel and precious gems. It became King Rama I ordered the making of a pair part of the Royal Regalia in the Royal Coronation Ceremony of 1785. of gold slippers as a part of the Royal Regalia, on the auspicious occasion of his Royal Coronation. The length of the blade itself is 64.5 centimetres, and 89.8 centimetres when following an ancient Indian belief. They were made of colourful enamelled gold it includes the hilt. It weighs 1.3 kilograms. When enclosed with the sheath, it is and inlaid with diamonds. In the Royal Coronation Ceremony, they are offered by 101 centimetres in length and weighs 1.9 kilograms. the Chief Brahmin who puts them directly onto the feet of the King.

* All materials for this publication are from ‘The Royal Coronation Ceremony’ published by the Ministry of Culture. Friday, May 3 – Thursday, May 9, 2019 Since 2011 / Volume IX / No. 18 20 Baht Three-Day Royal Coronation Ceremony The most important process of the Royal Coronation Ceremony takes place on 4 May, 2019, marking the Coronation Day of King Rama X. Governor Phakaphong carries the Kan Tor royal ceramic urn containing the sacred water, which was drawn from the well at Wat Chalong on April 6. 4 May 2019 10:09AM-MIDDAY The Royal Purification, or the “Song Muratha Bhisek” Ceremony, takes place at Royal Golden Plaque of His Majesty’s official title, the Royal Regalia, the Ancient Coronation Chakrabat Biman Royal Residence. “Muratha Bhisek” refers to the action of pouring and Auspicious Orders, and the Weapons of Sovereignty. After the Crowning and holy water over the head of the King, also known as Ablution. It is followed by the Investiture Ceremony, His Majesty presents the First Royal Command. Anointment Ceremony at Baisal Daksin Throne Hall. After the Crowning and Investiture Ceremony at the Bhadrapitha Throne, the In the ancient times, the most important part of the whole ceremony was consid- offers blessings to His Majesty the King, and the newly crowned King Sacred waters Emblem – the ered to be the Anointment Ceremony. It denoted accession to power throughout the presents the First Royal Command in the . he earliest process in the preparation for eight cardinal directions of the compass and, by extension, to reign over all regions the Royal Coronation Ceremony was to of the land. The chief Brahmin presents him with eight vessels of the Brahmin holy 2:00PM collect waters from different important Mark of Royalty water from each of the eight cardinal directions of the compass. As he is presented His Majesty the King grants a grand audience to members of the Royal Family, T with each vessel, the King turns to its corresponding direction, and ends sitting in the Privy Council and the Cabinet, as well as senior officials, gathered to offer their sources and then consecrate and combine them for use in the Royal Purification and Anoint- THE ROYAL EMBLEM MARK- esty for the sake of his people’s the direction facing east once again. best wishes to His Majesty at Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall. ment Ceremonies during the Royal Coronation ing the Coronation of King Rama happiness. The Sword of Victory At present, the Crowning is accepted as the highest ceremony, according to the Ceremony. X B.E. 2562 (2019) depicts in the symbolises His Majesty’s responsi- example set in the reign of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV). Throughout the 4:00PM On April 6, 2019, across the nation was centre, in white trimmed with gold, bility to protect the Kingdom from process of the Crowning, all monks are chanting prayers of benediction, the official His Majesty proceeds to the Temple of the to proclaim himself the gathering of waters to be blessed and used the Royal Cypher of His Majesty all harm threatening it. The Royal ensemble are blowing conch shells, beating drums, gongs and other instruments and the Royal Patron of . for the sacred water in the Royal Coronation King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Sceptre signifies His Majesty’s every temple bell in the area is ringing loudly. The guards of honour stand in saluta- Ceremony. This process took place in all 76 Each letter of the Cypher is Royal virtues to bring forth peace tion and a brass band plays the royal anthem of . Artillerymen fire cannons 1:19-8:30PM provinces, with consecration rites for the col- decorated with diamonds which and stability to the Kingdom. for an auspicious victory to honour His Majesty the King. The ceremony of Assumption of the Royal Residence takes place at Chakrabat lected waters held at major temples in respective denote the origin from which the The Royal Whisk and the Then His Majesty the King proceeds to the Bhadrapitha Throne and sits under Biman Royal Residence. The purpose of the ceremony is to symbolically take up the provinces for the following two days. royal name “Maha Vajiralongkorn” Royal Fan symbolise His Majesty’s the Royal Nine-tiered Umbrella, where the Chief Brahmin presents him with the royal residence and perform housewarming. In Phuket, sacred water was drawn from is derived, whilst the gold trim- righteousness as a ruler in reliev- the well at Wat Chalong, officially called Wat blessed through another consecration rite at ming of the Cypher represents ing the suffering and hardship of Chaiyathararam, because the temple well was , one of ’s oldest and most the colour of Monday, which is His subjects. The Royal Slippers dug during the time when the deeply revered important temples. the day of birth of His Majesty. represent His Majesty’s care in fos- Phra Visutthiwongsajarn Yanmunee (better On April 19, at 7:30am, the sacred water The Cypher rests on a back- tering the sustenance and welfare known as the historical figure Luang Por Ch- was taken by procession from Wat Suthat to be ground of dark blue, the colour throughout the Kingdom. aem) was abbot. kept at the ubosot of the Temple of the Emerald of righteous kingship, contained Standing tall behind the Great Many local people believe that the well is Buddha, awaiting its use in the performing of within a lotus bud frame marked Crown of Victory is the Great 5 May 2019 sacred and that its water is able to heal people. Royal Ablutions out in gold and green, the mixture Umbrella of State trimmed with 9:00AM This same well was also used for the Royal The Royal Purification Ceremony is called of which two colours signifies the bands of gold. At the top of the The ceremony to bestow His Majesty’s Royal Cypher and Royal Title and to in front of Wat Bovoranives, where His Majesty the King enters to pay homage to Coronation ceremony for King Bhumibol Adu- the “Song Phra Muratha Bhisek”. “Muratha power and might of His Majesty’s Umbrella of State is the lotus bud grant the royal ranks to members of royalty takes place at Amarindra Vinicchaya the main Buddha image in the ubosot. lyadej (Rama IX). Bhisek” refers to the action of pouring holy day of birth. finial showing Brahma Faces while Throne Hall. • The procession continues to move along Phra Sumen Road and turns right to At 11:52am that day, Phuket Governor water over the head of the King, called Ablu- The lotus bud frame begets the lowest tier of the Umbrella is Ratchadamnoen Road, passing through the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. Then it Phakaphong Tavipatana led the ceremony by tion. The whole terminology of “Song Phra inspiration from the shape of its decorated with golden Champa 4:30PM turns left to Atsadang Road and Bamrung Mueang Road. The Royal Palanquin stops drawing water from the well and pouring it into Muratha Bhisek” means to offer the sovereignty foremost predecessor – the frame bouquets representing the exten- His Majesty the King rides in the Royal Palanquin in the Royal Procession on in front of Wat Rajabopidh, where His Majesty enters to pay homage to the main a five-litre golden bowl called a Kan Sakon. to a person. According to Brahmanism, before which enclosed the Great Unalome sion in all directions yonder of His Land to encircle the city, affording people the opportunity to attend and pay homage Buddha image in the ubosot. The Kan Sakon lid was then closed and the beginning of any other ritual procedures insignia of the Royal Seal of State writ and authority. to their new King. • The procession leaves Wat Rajabopidh, passing through Fueang Nakhon Road, covered with a blessed white cloth tied with a of the coronation ceremony, the person must of His Majesty King Buddha On the lowest part of the Em- and then turns right to Charoen Krung Road. The Royal Palanquin stops in front of white ribbon. The water was then carried by be purified through the Ablution. Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama blem run stretches of green-gold ROUTES OF THE ROYAL LAND PROCESSION Wat Phra Chetuphon, where His Majesty enters to pay homage to the main Buddha procession to Wat Prathong in Thalang. The water used for Ablution is a mixture of I), founder of the Chakri . ribbon, trimmed in gold, bearing • From the , the procession comes out from Abhorn Bimok Pavilion image in the ubosot. The water remained at Wat Prathong for many sacred waters. These waters come from Surrounding the outer parts of the the words “The Coronation of through Vises Jayasri Gate. It turns right to Na Phra Lan Road, turns left to Ratcha- • The procession with His Majesty riding in the Royal Palanquin leaves Wat Phra two days of blessing ceremonies, until 1pm on the five main rivers in India and also from Thai- frame are the Five Royal Regalia, King Rama X B.E. 2562 (2019)”. damnoen Nai Road, turns right to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and then turns left Chetuphon along Thai Wang Road, moving back to the Grand Palace. It enters Vises April 9. During the ceremonies, the Governor land, called the “Bencha Suttha Khongkha”, as deemed to embody the symbol of At the right tip of the ribbon to Tanao Road before moving toward Wat Bovoranives. The Royal Palanquin stops Jayasri Gate to Abhorn Bimok Pavilion. decanted water from the Kan Sakon into a Kan well as water drawn from four Sacred Ponds, Kingship itself. stands the purple Kojasi holding up Tor – a royal ceramic urn handmade especially or Sa in Thai: Sa Ket, Sa Kaeo, Sa Khongkha Placed on top of the Royal Cy- a Seven-tiered Umbrella represent- for the Royal Coronation of His Majesty King and Sa Yamuna from Suphanburi. pher is the Great Crown of Victory ing the Armed Forces. On the left Maha Vajiralongkorn. The “Bencha Suttha Khongkha” river waters, with the Unalome insignia, which tip of the ribbon stands the white At 5pm that day, the Governor and his en- or the Five Pure Streams of Ganga, are used so includes within it the sequence Ratchasi holding a second Seven- tourage and police escort departed the temple as to follow the belief in the use of the sacred number of this reign. tiered Umbrella which represents by motorcade, accompanying the water all the water from the five main streams from South The Sword of Victory and the the Civil Service, which left and way to Royal Palace in Bangkok. Governors Asia or Chomphu Thawip in Thai. Royal Whisk of the Yak’s Tail lie right together form the two pillars in other provinces performed the same rituals The five rivers in Thailand from which to the right of the Emblem while of public service. 6 May 2019 and departed their respective revered temples water is drawn are the Bang Pakong River in on the left of the Royal Emblem On the inner side of the shafts at the same time, though arriving in the capital Nakhon Nayok, the Pasak River in Saraburi, are placed the Royal Sceptre and of the two Umbrellas, there are 4:30PM OCTOBER 2019 over the next two days (April 10-11). the , Ratchaburi River in the Royal Fan, and, lastly, below golden Naga traceries denoting His Majesty the King grants a public audience on a balcony of Suddhaisavarya The final procedure of the Coronation of King Rama X is the Royal Barge Proces- On April 12, from 1pm to 2:09pm, the Bang- Samut Songkram and the Phetchaburi River. the Royal Cypher rest the Royal the year of the dragon, the year of Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace to receive his well wishes from the people. sion, to be held in October 2019. The procession begins at the Wasukri pier at 4:00pm, kok Metropolitan Administration performed a They are combined purified water taken Slippers. His Majesty’s birth. The golden when His Majesty the King travels along the Chao Phraya River to (Temple of water consecration rite at Ho Sattrakhom in the from various sacred places within the Royal The Great Crown of Victory colour of the Naga traceries signi- 5:30PM Dawn) on the occasion of presenting robes to Buddhist monks (Royal Kathin Ceremony). Grand Palace and transferred the consecrated Kingdom, including Phuket, for use in the represents the great burden bearing fies the prosperity for the nation His Majesty grants an audience to members of the international diplomatic corps, About 2,300 oarsmen will be prepared to row over 50 barges to be arranged water to the Ministry of Interior to combine it ceremony. down on the person of His Maj- and her people. who offer their felicitations on this special occasion at Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall. into five groupings, from the Wasukri pier to Wat Arun, with a total length of four with waters from the provinces. Also now used in the Ablution Ceremony kilometres. Rhythmic barge-rowing songs are part of this ceremonial water-borne On April 18 at 5:30pm, the waters from is the prepared holy water from the Buddhist procession, which is a rare spectacle, arranged on special occasions only. 76 provinces and Bangkok were combined Chanting Ceremony of the Phra Paritra Suttas and taken from the Ministry of Interior to be session from the day before the Coronation.