Gemstones & Birthday Colours in Thai Culture

In Thai culture, each day of the week has a colour which is based on the colour of the God who is protecting the day. This attribution goes back to an astrological rule influenced by Hindu mythology.

Red Ruby – the gem for Sunday and the God Surya (photo: Humanfeather, wikimedia.org)

Thus, Thai people believe that each day of the week coincides with a planet and a God. Thus, each respective planet and God has a dominant colour. For instance, Surya is the God of Sunday. Since he is also the God of the Sun, his colour is red. Hence, suitable gemstones are garnet and red ruby. Citrine, a yellow gem for Monday (photo: Wela49~commonswiki, wikimedia.org)

Another example is Monday which is the day of the moon. Accordingly, the God of this day is Chandra, the moon God. His colour is yellow or white. The colours of the day are hence the traditional Thai birthday colours. Since King Bhumibol was born on Monday, on the auspicious occasion of his birthday Thailand is decorated with yellow.

Pink Sapphire for Tuesday (photo Wiener Edelstein Zentrum, wikimedia.org)

Now let us take a look at what colour is suited for your birthday. As mentioned, Sunday is the day of Surya whose colour is red. The gemstone for this day is ruby or garnet. Monday, the day of the moon, has the yellow gem citrine, yellow sapphire but also moonstone occasionally. Tuesday which is the day of the God Mangala (Mars) has pink as its ruling colour. Thus, we need pink sapphire or spinel.

Cut emerald gemstones, in Thai culture the Birthday colours of Wednesday (photo: irvin calicut, wikimedia.org)

Since Wednesday is the day of Budha (Mercury), this day’s colour is green. Suitable gems are hence green emerald and tsavorite garnet. Thursday has orange since that is the colour of Brihaspati (Jupiter). What could be more suitable for this day than orange coral or orange sapphire! Coral jewelry (photo: Markus Bärlocher, wikimedia.org)

Finally, Friday is the day of Shukra (Venus) and his colour is blue. Thus, we love blue sapphire for this day. Saturday has the colour purple since it is the day of Shani (Saturn). The gemstones for Saturday are amethyst and purple sapphire.

Blue Sapphire for Friday (photo: Wiener Edelstein Zentrum, wikimedia.org)

Amethyst for Saturday (photo: Wela48, wikimedia.org)

Here is a short clip on what color is suited for your birthday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84A1ZKx24bg

Summing up, I think it is a very pleasant concept having birthday coulours and corresponding gemstones for each day of the week. Since I was born on a Monday, according to Thai culture, my gem is the yellow citrine Which one is yours?

Yours, Sirinya The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand

Today I’d like to take you on a photographic journey to the Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม) which is a temple construction in Pattaya, Thailand. The Sanctuary is also known as Wang Boran and Prasat Mai.

The Sanctuary of Truth

Entrance to the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand*

The special characterisitc of this temple is that it is completely constructed from wood. Thus, it is a great example of the art of Thai woodcarving. The sanctuary harbours numerous wooden scupltures from Buddhist andHindu mythology. The Sanctuary of Truth is an amazing example of Thai woodcarving*

However, in the top of the building, which is 105 meters high, there are also pieces of modern visionary art exhibited. In 1981, the temple complex was initiated by Lek Viriyaphant who is also the founder of the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan. Actually, the Sanctuary of Truth is not completed yet and the year for its completion is supposed to be in 2050. Wang Boran, the Sanctuary of Truth, hall with royal images*

The temple construction is a unique and fine example of Thai architecture and it is also reminiscent of ancient Khmer buildings. There are four monumental towers representing images from the Buddhist and Hindu religions and mythologies of Asian countries like Cambodia, China, India and Thailand. Hence, the Sanctuary honours the ancient civilizations of Southeast Asia and their accomplishments. The construction of Wang Boran is reminiscent of Khmer architecture*

Therefore, the Sanctuary of Truth also gives credit to the seven creators which are of vital importance to man because without them, he cannot exist. These creators are Heaven, Earth, Father, Mother, Moon, Sun and the Stars. Thus, the purpose of this temple complex is to use art and culture in order to reflect Eastern philosophy and the ancient knowledge and vision of Southeast Asia. Visitors are invited to take a glimpse at and experience ancient knowledge, the connectedness of all beings and the cycle of life. Prasart Mai, Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya*

The Sanctuary of Truth is divided into different halls. Hence, the 1st hall is about the origin and stands for the earth, the four elements and the universe. According toHindu belief, Shiva is the God of Earth and Fire (beginning and end), Vishnu is the God of Water and thus the preserver of life, while Brahma is the God of the Wind and thus the creator. Trimurati is the God of the Universe and the universal aspect. Wang Boran stands for the earth, the four elements and the universe*

The 2dn hall represents the sun, moon and stars and thus symbolizes the created environment. The sun, moon and stars are also creators because without the sun there would neither be day nor night. The moon causes tideing and the stars are the reason for every cause. Hence, everything and even the creators are interconnected. Sanctuary of Truth, everything is interconnected even the creators*

The 3rd hall represents Parental Love which also stands for unconditional love, starting a family, tranquility and peace. In this way, the hall also represents father and mother who are givers. They do not ask anything in return for their love and the receivers, the children, are grateful and pay respect to their parents. The 4th hall stands for the world supporter and thus for the Bodhisattva who is the Buddha. His attributes are love, compassion, selflessness and service to others. What is more, this is also the basis for all religions. Bodhisattva, his attributes are love, compassion, selflessness and service to others*

Finally, the Centre Hall stands for the four noble truths that the Buddha has preached to all men. It means that human beings can understand the wheel of life and overcome suffering in order to reach Nirvana. The Centre Hall stands for the four noble truths that the Buddha has preached to all men*

Hence, the four spires on the top roof represent the four elements: there is a female celestial being holding a book representing the continuation of philosophy and morality. The other female celestial that holds a pidgeon in her hand stands for peace. The male celestial with a lotus flower represents the establishment and continuation of religion. Finally, the celestial holding the hand of a child and leading the elderly represents life. The Sanctuary of Truth, the four spires on the top roof represent the four elements*

Summing up, we may say that the Sanctuary of Truth is an amazing temple construction and a stunning example of Thai woodcarving that captures the ancient vision of the earth. I really recommend a visit to this place

Yours, Sirinya

*all photos in this post by Amporn Konglapumnuay