Through “Khwai Tanu” [ควายธนู] or the guardian buffalo, we can observe the superstitious beliefs that stemmed from the agricultural society of Thailand

Khwai Tanu (guardian buffalo)

Through “Khwai Tanu” [ควายธนู] or the guardian buffalo, we can observe the superstitious beliefs that stemmed from the agricultural society of Thailand and the practice of rice farming and buffalo raising. This guardian buffalo is a puppet that can be made from a variety of materials, such as bamboo, clay, beeswax, or cursed metals like coffin nails from seven cemeteries, steel from pagoda tops, etc.

The buffalo puppet has to be consecrated according to the ritual. Owners of the Khwai Tanu amulets must feed them well with grass and water and let them roam free from time to time. The belief in the guardian buffalo exists in every region of Thailand. Some believe that it can be used to guard houses or rice fields, protect the owners against ghosts and thieves, and can even be ordered to kill enemies. In some places, however, it is seen as just another amulet to carry around.

Information by:

https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/th/culture_heritage/9-quintessential-thai-amulets/

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Jatukham Rammathep (Thai : จตุคามรามเทพ)

Jatukham Rammathep (Thai : จตุคามรามเทพ) is the name of two princes from Srivijaya Kingdom. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province people consider Jatukham and Rammthep as guardian angels to the city. The Jatukham Rammathep amulet was first created by police Khun Phantharak Rajjadej (Thai : ขุนพันธรักษ์ราชเดช) in 1987 as part of Nakhon Si Thammarat's Lak Mueang establishment. The amulet is round-shaped, typically with the image of Hindu deities and around 5 cm in diameter. It became popular early 2000s, especially during the time of Khun Phantharak Rajjadej's funeral on 5 July 2006 till mid-2007. The amulet was believed to protect owner from danger and make owner rich. As many as 150 series of Jatukham Rammathep amulet production was planned for the year 2007 and the value of market for the amulet reach 20 billion Baht that year. Late 2007 it appeared that the Jatukham Rammathep amulet bubble had burst, its popularity quickly faded with plenty of amulets left that could be obtained at v

Another amulet that depicts a bond between the Thai people and nature is the Sai Dak Sap [ไซดักทรัพย์]

Sai Dak Sap (bamboo fish trap of fortune) Another amulet that depicts a bond between the Thai people and nature is the Sai Dak Sap [ไซดักทรัพย์]. A sai is a traditional Thai fish trap, which has later become a lucky charm called “Sai Dak Sap” believed to help trap money, property and bring good fortune to the worshipers. Many shops and stores like to hang the sais at the facades of their establishments for prosperity and to improve their Feng Shui. The greater the faith, the larger the sai. It is also believed that the sai will bring happiness to the families and the businesses of the owners. To obtain the best lucky effect, a sai must be hung high with its mouth turned toward the outside of the shop or the house to bring in good fortune and money. Never point the mouth of a sai to the side or inside the house as this may draw the fortune away from the owners. Information by: https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/th/culture_heritage/9-quintessential-thai-amulets/

Yantra : A yantra [ยันต์] can be grids, lines, numbers, characters or pictures that are written, tattooed, or engraved on a piece of fabric, skin, wood, metal, etc.

Yantra Have you ever seen the intricate and mysterious tattoos on Angelina Jolie’s back? The actress traveled all the way to Thailand to get those holy graphics inked on her. A yantra [ยันต์] can be grids, lines, numbers, characters or pictures that are written, tattooed, or engraved on a piece of fabric, skin, wood, metal, etc. If the pattern is engraved on a curled metal sheet, we call it “takrut” [ตะกรุด], and if it is inked into the skin, we call it “yantra tattooing” or “sak yant” [สักยันต์]. The sacred yantras according to Thai beliefs influenced by Hinduism can be classified into 4 groups: 1) Square yantra referring to the four elements and the four continents, 2) Triangular yantra representing the Triple Gem in Buddhism, or the Three Gods or the Trimurti, 3) Circle yantra referring to Brahma, and 4) Image yantra, which can take various designs and meanings. The text in the yantra is composed with ancient Khmer characters, which were widely used by the ancient people

Benja Phakhi (Thai : พระเบญจภาคี)

The most famous of Thai amulets are the set of 5 rarest and highly sought after amulets Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang (Thai: พระสมเด็จวัดระฆัง), Phra Rod(Thai: พระรอด), Phra Nang Phaya (Thai: พระนางพญา), Phra Phong Suphan (Thai: พระผงสุพรรณ) and Phra Sum Kor (Thai: พระซุ้มกอ), together called Benja Phakhi (Thai: เบญจภาคี). They are valued at over 10 million Baht. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Buddha_amulet

Phra Nang Phaya (Thai : พระนางพญา)

Phra Nang Phaya (Thai : พระนางพญา) amulet from Wat Nang Phaya temple in Phitsanulok Province is believed to be commissioned by Queen Wisutkasat in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The amulet was discovered when workers dug up an area in the temple to prepare the stage for King Chulalongkorn's visit for the casting of a replica of famous Buddha image Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Thai : พระพุทธชินราช) there. This amulet was also discovered in nearby temples such as Wat Ratchaburana (Thai : วัดราชบูรณะ). From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Buddha_amulet Photo by http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_c3125f550101lqfe.html

Buddha amulets [พระเครื่อง] are small Buddha images but they can also feature images of monks, maestros, the Bodhisattvas, and other gods.

Buddha Amulet (Phra Khrueang) Buddha amulets [พระเครื่อง] are small Buddha images but they can also feature images of monks, maestros, the Bodhisattvas, and other gods. Thais believe that these amulets will protect them from danger, make them invincible, and bring good luck. The amulets are small so that they can be made in large numbers as miniature replicas of the Lord Buddha. If Buddhism declines in the future, these amulets will be the evidence of the golden era of Buddhism. In the past, warriors carried the amulets with them. Nowadays, we can see them around people’s necks as lucky charms. Amulets trading is a high value business. Rare specimens can be very expensive. Phra Soom Kor, for example, was found in a large pagoda in the province of Kamphaeng Phet and is believed to be created by a king in the Sukhothai period (AD 1238-1438). Today, it is staggeringly priced at 50,000,000 THB or around 1,482,799 USD! Information by: https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/th/cult

Phra Sum Kor (Thai : พระซุ้มกอ)

Phra Sum Kor (Thai : พระซุ้มกอ) is from Kamphaeng Phet Province. When Somdej Toh came to visit relatives in 1849, he found Phra Sum Kor amulets at Wat Phraboromthat Nakhonchum (Thai : วัดพระบรมธาตุนครชุม) together with tablets explaining amulet making process. He later used the recipe to make his own Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang. This amulet is found throughout Thung Sethi (Thai : ทุ่งเศรษฐี) in Kamphangphet. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Buddha_amulet Photo by http://thaniyo.brinkster.net/amulet04.html

Phra Rod (Thai: พระรอด)

Phra Rod (Thai: พระรอด) refers to amulets discovered in early King Chulalongkorn era inside a partially collapsed stupa in Wat Mahawan (Thai: วัดมหาวัน) in Lamphun Province. It was named Phra Rod because the Buddha image in the amulet matched the ancient Buddha image in the temple's Ubosot called Phra Rod Luang (Thai: พระรอดหลวง). Legends say that when the temple was part of Hariphunchai Kingdom, the amulets were crafted by Rishi to hand out to citizen during wars and the remaining of those were placed inside the temple's stupa. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Buddha_amulet Photo by http://www.thaprachan.com/show_pra.php?id=200426

Phra Phong Suphan (Thai : พระผงสุพรรณ)

Phra Phong Suphan (Thai : พระผงสุพรรณ) is from Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Thai : วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุ) of Suphanburi Province. There were thieves who came to dig under the large stupa in the temple and stole amulets and tablets, some made from gold. So in 1913 Suphanburi governor ordered the formal dig up to uncover the buried amulets. Phra Phong Suphan was among the amulets found. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Buddha_amulet Photo by http://www.nungsuepra.com/

Phra Khun Phaen (Thai : พระขุนแผน)

Phra Khun Phaen (Thai : พระขุนแผน) Pra Khun Phaen are amulets which usually feature the Buddha in samadhi or other mudra and should not be confused with the "Khun Phaen" sans "Pra" that are amulets made in the likeness of the Pra Khun Phaen but with a separate deity/historical figure. The original Pra Khun Phaen amulets came before the Khun Phaen but the name is derived from the popularity of the Khun Phaen folklore of the time, and because there was no particular name given to the Pra Khun Phaen, the name was simply borrowed with the attached "Pra" พระ to denote holiness. Khun Phaen are amulets with the image of Khun Phaen of the classic Khun Chang Khun Phaen folklore. According to the folklore, Khun Phaen was proficient in using magical power including amulets and other items in battle. Khun Phaen also used love formula to attract women. Thus, one of the main functions of Khun Phaen is to enhance the bonding of human relationship like: personal relati

Thailand Amulets

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Ringing Buddha - Phra Kring Pawareth was produced under the reign of King Rama III’s in 2390