Makara (Hindu mythology)

A Makara (Sanskrit makara मकर m. ) Is a creature from Hindu mythology. He is the mount ( vahana ) of the Hindu river gods Gaṅgā and Varuna. It is also one of the insignia of Kamadeva, a Hindu God who is love and lust represents. Kamas flag ( Dhvaja ) is known as " Karkadhvaja ", ie a flag on a Makara is shown.

Traditionally, a makara is considered to be a water creature, in some ancient texts, it is compared to a crocodile, in others with a dolphin. Again, other sources describe a Makara and as a combination: the body of a fish with the head of an elephant. Part of it is also considered a mythical creature from elephant, turtle, fish and crocodile whose properties he represents. Out of his mouth all plant and animal matter is clear. He is regarded as a fertility Genius.

In astrology, the Makara is often depicted as a sea horse and corresponds in Western astrology Capricorn.

Makara in Thailand

Makara is in Thailand Mangkon ( Thai: มังกร, pronunciation maŋkɔ ː n, also Makorn - ม กร, different spelling Mangkorn ) called.

Mythical Creatures

The mythical beast Mangkon is the dragon in the Thai / Laotian mythology. He is like the Naga, a water creature. A Mangkon is often depicted in Thai artwork as a hybrid nature, in which a body part ( usually the head) descended from the dragon, the rest of the body from other mythical animals. These hybrid beings were shown in the Rattanakosin period in ancient manuscripts, only some of which are still preserved. They were titled as " books with pictures of different animal figures, which are used for processions on the occasion of the royal burns ". The animals originate from the mythological snow forest ( Himaphan ), which is located on the slopes of Mount Meru. They are reminiscent of illustrations in the art of Angkor as Prasat Thom, Koh Ker or Banteay Srei. In the Thai literature they were first mentioned in the Phra Ruang Traiphum.

Representations of the hybrid nature can still be found in many Thai temples ( Wat ), the most famous being the golden statues on the Upper Terrace of Wat Phra Kaeo. Larger than life replicas were formerly carried in the parades, which led royal urns for cremation ground. At the cremation ground, a catafalque, modeled on the Meru was built.

Thai art

In Thai art, a Makara easily be confused with a Naga. Makaras are displayed in all of Southeast Asia on arches and stairs, to statues and ornaments as a throne. The Thai Makara is undoubtedly a reptile similar to a crocodile. A Makara However, in contrast to Naga only a single head with a wavy, elongated snout and a wide mouth with sharp teeth. He either has a sinuous body, or a body with short front legs, or however no body with a long, seemingly leafy, sometimes scaly tail.

Makara are often at temple buildings in Thailand together with a Kirtimukha ( Thai: " Face of Glory ", also Kirttimukha or Kala: กิ ร์ ติ มุ ขะ, Sanskrit ) is shown, a lion-headed "demons" from Hindu mythology, who is wild in his hunger even ate until only his head was left. Just as the Kirtimukha spews vegetation, so the mouth of Makara emanate from one or many-headed naga. Already at the temples of the Khmer Makara is located along with Kirttimukha over the entrance gates, such as in Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat. First examples in Thailand can be found at Wat Sri Sawai ( Thai: วัด ศรี สวาย ), but also at Wat Mahathat ( วัด มหาธาตุ ), both in Sukhothai. The artists of Sukhothai later adopted the Makara in their repertoire. In the aureole of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, the main Buddha statue of Wat Benchamabophit, two elegant Makara right and left are integrated, which spew flowery flamboyants.

Other meanings

" Mangkon " ( Makara ) in Thailand may also have these meanings:

  • McFarland Thai - English Dictionary describes a Mangkon as: a mythological fish or sea monster, a fabulous sea dragon
  • Russell lionfish ( Pterois russelli ), also thorn fish ( scorpion fish - Muraenesox cinereus ),
  • A small, scaleless saltwater fish that can reach the size of a human thumb. He is often found in salt water canals.
  • Mangkon is (rarely ) used as a first name for men. The short form " Gon " there is frequent. Often give Muay Thai fighter a name that occurs in the Mangkon: eg " Mung Korn Dam" ( Black Dragon - different spelling from the English -speaking world ).
  • Wat Mangkon is a historic temple in Sukhothai Historical Park ( Sukhothai Province )

Swell

  • Anna Dallapiccola: Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. Thames & Hudson, New York, 2002. ISBN 0-500-51088-1
  • Gerhard J. Bellinger, Knaurs Encyclopedia of Mythology, Knaur, Munich in 1999, Makara, ISBN 978-3899962703
  • Jean Boisselier: Painting In Thailand. Publisher W.Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 1976, ISBN 3- 17-002521 -X
  • U.K. McFarland Thai - English Dictionary. Stanford University Press, Stanford, 1944, ISBN 0-8047-0383-3
  • Prof. Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri: Lined Figures of Himaphan animals. Chulalongkorn University Press, Bangkok 2543, ISBN 974-333-514-5
  • Pamela Taylor York: Beasts, Birds, And Blossoms In Thai Art Oxford University Press, New York 1994, ISBN 967-65-3051-4
  • Heinrich Zimmer: Indian myths and symbols. Diederichs Yellow Series, Dusseldorf 1981, ISBN 3-424-00693-9
Ganges in Hinduism Oceanic dolphin Wat Suthat Nāga Legendary creature Rattanakosin Island Himavanta Wat Phra Kaew
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