Kinnara

Kinnari (Sanskrit किंनरी kiṁnarī, also Kinari, Kinaree, Kinnaree, Ginn aria or Ginnaree; Burmese: kin -na- yi) is a mythological creature that lives on the slopes of Himaphan Forest ( Snow Forest ).

The Kinnari is depicted in the Thai, Cambodian, Laotian and Burmese mythology as a creature that is half woman and half bird. It has the head, the torso and arms of a woman, but the wings, tail and feet of a swan. She is known for her dance, her songs and her poetry and is the traditional symbol of feminine beauty, grace and perfection Represents the male counterpart of Kinnari is Kinnara ( किंनर Kimnara ) or Kinnorn called.

Mythological origin

In Indian mythology are Kinnaris and Kinnaras combination of man and bird and horse belong to the lower gods who live at the foot of the sacred mountain Meru. They are often depicted as heavenly musicians. Therefore, an ancient Indian stringed instrument Kinnari Vina was called. In a text of Gujarat from the mid-12th century is a second name Saranga Vina. Kinnaris were presented at medieval Indian stone temples either as small, the actual events observed from above heavenly beings, or they were very small integrated as decorative motifs in medallions in the base area.

Thailand

Kinnari ( Thai: กินรี ) were mentioned in Thai literature Phra Ruang Traiphum already in the 14th century. They live together with many other mythical creatures in Himaphan Forest, which is located on the slopes of Mount Meru, the central axis of the Buddhist worldview. In Thai art there are numerous representations of Kinnari, which are always depicted as young women wearing an angelic costume. The lower part of her body is that of a Hong ( Thai: หงส์ ), a mythical swan, so they should be able to distinguish between the human world and the mythical worlds to fly back and forth.

Famous depictions of the Kinnari

• The most famous Kinnari in Thailand is a character named Manorah ( Thai: มโนราห์ ) from the Panyasa Jataka ( Thai: ปัญญา ส ชาดก ). Part of this piece is a dance that Manorah Buchayan is called and one of the most esoteric among the high classical dances of Thailand.

• On the " upper terrace " of Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok are gilded, life-size statues of 14 mythical creatures from the Himaphan forest, each of which represents a one Kinnorn. He is not to be confused with the statue of a Theppaksi, which in contrast to Kinnorn has human legs.

• On the soles of the great Reclining Buddha of Wat Phra Chetuphon in Bangkok 108 Buddhist icons are shown as mother of pearl inlay, two of these icons are a Kinnari and a Kinnorn.

• Thai Airways International publishes a monthly magazine called Kinnaree.

Myanmar

Burmese Buddhists believe that Buddha has also lived as Kinnara at its 136 former life as an animal four times. Again, Kinnari is one of the 108 auspicious symbols in the footprint of the Buddha.