In South East Asia many people believe that there are spirits for areas of land. These spirits are induced to stay in one location by the offering of shelter, food and other gifts. It is believed that they have the power to influence the future, grant wishes, promote prosperity, and to keep people healthy. This spirit is expected to be kept informed of a new building that is being built, or a new business that is being started. If the local people do not ask permission, the spirit(s) may cause these ventures to fail.
There are 9 guardian spirits: (1.) Protector of the House (2.) Protector of the Gates and Stairways (3.) Protector of the Bridal Chamber (4.) Protector of Animals (5.) Protector of Storehouses and Barns (6.) Protector of Fields
and Paddies (7.) Protector of of Orchards and Gardens (8.) Protector of the Terraces and (9.) Protector of Temples and Religious Establishments.
Most of these spirits are considered benign unless ignored or made angry in some fashion. There is another group of spirits as well. Some are friendly, some are not. Here are just a few of them:
Chao Mae Tubtim, a water spirit, protector of seafarers
Mae Nak Prakanong or Nag Nak , a malevolent spirit or PhiiPrai of a woman who has died in childbirth.
Chao Mae Sam Muk, also a water spirit, provider of true love, supernatural assistance and protector of fishermen.
Mae Khongkha. the Water Goddess is venerated throughout Thailand every year at the Loy Krathong Festival
Mae Na Yang the protector of boats is believed to reside at the bow of the boat and garlands of flowers, and offerings of food, whiskey and incense sticks may also be presented.
Even Buddha images can have supernatural powers in some instances. A well known example is Luang Poh Sothon, which was discovered along with two other images floating down the BangPakong river, east of Bangkok. The largest image floated to the Gulf of Thailand and ended up in the MaeKlong river at SamutSongkrahm where the local people persueded it to come ashore at take up residence at Wat Ban Laern. The second image floated up a klong(canal) called BangPhii and stopped at Wat Ban Phii. The third image came to rest on the bank of the BangPakong river and a temple renamed Luang Poh Sothon was immediately built around it.
There are 9 guardian spirits: (1.) Protector of the House (2.) Protector of the Gates and Stairways (3.) Protector of the Bridal Chamber (4.) Protector of Animals (5.) Protector of Storehouses and Barns (6.) Protector of Fields
and Paddies (7.) Protector of of Orchards and Gardens (8.) Protector of the Terraces and (9.) Protector of Temples and Religious Establishments.
Most of these spirits are considered benign unless ignored or made angry in some fashion. There is another group of spirits as well. Some are friendly, some are not. Here are just a few of them:
Chao Mae Tubtim, a water spirit, protector of seafarers
Mae Nak Prakanong or Nag Nak , a malevolent spirit or PhiiPrai of a woman who has died in childbirth.
Chao Mae Sam Muk, also a water spirit, provider of true love, supernatural assistance and protector of fishermen.
Mae Khongkha. the Water Goddess is venerated throughout Thailand every year at the Loy Krathong Festival
Mae Na Yang the protector of boats is believed to reside at the bow of the boat and garlands of flowers, and offerings of food, whiskey and incense sticks may also be presented.
Even Buddha images can have supernatural powers in some instances. A well known example is Luang Poh Sothon, which was discovered along with two other images floating down the BangPakong river, east of Bangkok. The largest image floated to the Gulf of Thailand and ended up in the MaeKlong river at SamutSongkrahm where the local people persueded it to come ashore at take up residence at Wat Ban Laern. The second image floated up a klong(canal) called BangPhii and stopped at Wat Ban Phii. The third image came to rest on the bank of the BangPakong river and a temple renamed Luang Poh Sothon was immediately built around it.
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