Land Of White Elephants – Thailand

Land Of White Elephants – Thailand

The term derives from the sacred white elephants kept by Southeast Asian monarchs in Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. To possess a white elephant was regarded (and is still regarded in Thailand and Burma) as a sign that the monarch reigned with justice and power, and that the kingdom was blessed with peace and prosperity.

"According to Brahmanic belief, if a monarch possessed one or more 'white' elephants, it was a glorious and happy sign." King Trailok possessed the first. In the Thai language, they are called albino, not white, indicating "pale yellow eyes and white nails", with white hair. The "rough skin was either pink all over or had pink patches on the head, trunk, or forelegs."

In Thailand, white elephants also known as Pink Elephants.

Why are white elephants so important in Thai culture? Essentially, white elephants are believed to be vital to the wellbeing and prosperity of the Kingdom. A major war ensued in 1549 when the king of Burma demanded seven white elephants belonging to King Mahachakkaphat of Ayutthaya, who was called Lord of the White Elephants. A white elephant was on the national flag until 1917, and a white elephant still emblazons the ensign of the Royal Thai Navy.

White elephants are linked to Hindu cosmology as the mount of Indra, king of the Vedic deities, is Airavata, a white elephant.

White elephants are also intricately linked to Buddhist cosmology: the mount of Sakka's (a Buddhist deity and ruler of the Tavatimsa heaven) is a three-headed white elephant named Airavata. Albino elephants exist in nature, usually being reddish-brown or pink.

The tradition derives from tales that associate a white elephant with the birth of the Buddha, as his mother was reputed to have dreamed of a white elephant presenting her with a lotus flower, a common symbol of wisdom and purity, on the eve of giving birth.

White elephant a sign of purity, prosperity, power & Justice.

Thailand is geographically named as “Land of White Elephants”