Classroom » Multimedia
Ravana prepares poison spear (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 5.1)
Related media
Learn more
- Search LEARN NC for art, Bangkok, demons, Emerald Buddha Temple, Lanka, murals, paintings, palaces, Ramayana, Ravana, Thailand, and weapons.
In the classroom
- See our collection of articles on visual literacy for ideas on using photographs meaningfully in the classroom.
Ravana sits in his royal pavillion and prepares a poison spear, as seen in a mural at the Emerald Buddha Temple. The successful creation of this poison spear will provide Ravana’s demon troops an advantage in their battle with Rama’s monkey troops.
Dressed in royal gold attire, the demon king Ravana sits in a luxurious crimson and blue T-shaped pavillion as he prepares a poisoned spear to fight Rama’s army. Bowls of food and drink sit nearby for Ravana’s comfort. Below the platform walking on the right are three of Ravana’s demon courtiers.
In the Ramayana story, Ravana sends an army led by one of his demon brothers to meet Rama’s monkey army. Rama’s army is led into that battle by Rama’s brother Laksman. The demons are losing at the end of the day until Laksman is mortally wounded with a poison spear created by Ravana. That wound to the battle leader allows the demons a chance to retreat to their walled city on Lanka Island.
