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Rama shown to his people as future king (Thai Ramayana mural)

About this photograph

Creator
Margery H. Freeman
Date created
Unknown
Location
Bangkok, Thailand
License
This photograph copyright ©2006. Terms of use

See this photograph in context

  • The Ramayana: The Hindu epic The Ramayana is retold through the mural, painting, and dance of Southeast Asia. (Page 1.9)

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Rama shown to his people as future king (Thai Ramayana mural at Emerald Buddha Temple)

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Rama is shown to the people of Ayudhya and announced as their future king, as depicted on a mural painting at the Emerald Buddha Temple. Dressed in gold clothes and painted with his characteristic green skin, Rama is carried on a golden sedan chair just outside the palace walls. Many courtiers attend to him carrying golden lances, royal umbrellas, and other heirlooms of the ruling family.

These kinds of ornamental umbrellas or parasols are Hindu and Buddhist symbols of protection and nobility. In tropical Asia, parasols often are used as protection from the sun and heat rather than rain. They signify a noble person’s ability to control the strong forces of the universe.

In the Ramayana, when Rama’s father senses he is approaching death, he decides to declare that his eldest son Rama should succeed him. Rama tours in a procession around the kingdom of Ayudhya as the public announcement is made. All the people rejoice because Rama is known as a just and virtuous prince.

Rama will not ascend to the throne directly, however, because a mother of another prince tricks the king into banishing Rama for fourteen years so that her son can rule in his place.

This image was photographed in November 1982.