The Songkran festival is one of the most popular festivals in Thailand. It has attracted many tourists from many countries around the world to come to this very country. The festival is held from April 13th to April 15th.
The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then.
The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water upon others. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns.
Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran as a Buddhist festival may also go to a Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.
There are many creatures in the Thai myths that have captivated the people of Thailand as well as others from the rest of the world. One of them being the gigantic winged creature, the Garuda.
But what is the Garuda?
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
Garuda is also the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and the Brahminy kite and Phoenix are considered to be the contemporary representations of Garuda.
In Hindu religion, Garuda is a Hindu divinity, usually the mount (vahana) of the Lord Vishnu. Garuda is depicted as having the golden body of a strong man with a white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and with a crown on his head. This ancient deity was said to be massive, large enough to block out the sun.
In Buddhist mythology, the Garuda are enormous predatory birds with intelligence and social organization. Another name for the Garuda is suparṇa, meaning "well-winged, having good wings". Like the nāga, they combine the characteristics of animals and divine beings, and may be considered to be among the lowest devas.
As you can see, the Garuda is a very intriguing mythical creature to Thailand (especially among the communities of Hindus and Buddhists). Studying about this creature or any other could gain us more understanding about how their religions have shaped their societies through the stories of these mythical creatures as well.
A man is smiling. This indicates that he is happy.
His lips are pursed. This might be an indicator of distaste, disapproval, or distrust.
Clenching his fists, this could be an indicator of anger or solidarity.
Crossed arms often means that a person feels defensive, self-protective or closed-off.
An open posture involves keeping the trunk of the body open and exposed. This type of posture indicates friendliness, openness, and willingness.
Crossed legs can indicate that a person is feeling closed off or in need of privacy.
