Antique Marble Temple Guardian Manote Thiha
AGE: – 18th – 19th Century
CONSTRUCTION: – Alabaster
HEIGHT: – 34.5
WIDTH: – 20.5
DEPTH: – 20.5
WEIGHT: – 13.45 kg.
#873 – PRICE: CONTACT
Burmese Antique Marble Temple Guardian Manote Thiha – A mythological, supernatural creature in Burmese folklore and myth. Manote thiha is shown with a lions hindquarters, a man’s torso, and the head of a nat.
Legend has it that the mythological creature Manote Thiha was brought to life by Buddhist monks in the 3rd century A.D., to protect the Mon people from the demons of the jungle ogre referred to as Taw Belu, he terrorized the countryside by eating small children. His powerful rival Nan Belu also referred to as Galon, is similar in appearance to the Garuda and was a powerful rival of the jungle ogre..
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The l
egend of Manote Thiha is not just a tale of protection; it is a story woven into the fabric of Myanmar’s history. The creature’s image is often found on old pagodas throughout the country, symbolizing guardianship and the warding off of evil. For instance, the Htuparyon Pagoda in Mrauk-U, erected by King Min Ran Aung in 1494 AD, features figures of Manote Thiha at each corner, standing as eternal protectors of the sacred site.
Local archives record that King Min Ran Aung never saw the pagoda to completion as he was assassinated by his own ministers just six months into his reign. In 1613 A.D., King Minkhamaung and his chief queen, Shin Htway rebuilt the pagoda and it has since been renamed Minkhamaung Pagoda. The pagoda was visited later by Arakanese kings after their coronation ceremony to take an oath to protect the country during their reign as they considered the pagoda auspicious
Htuparyon Pagoda is built of stone blocks with an octagonal base. Today the wall surrounding the pagoda is in disrepair as is most of this Pagoda. Each of the four corners of the pagoda walls is guarded by the mythological Temple Guardian Manote thiha figure, each with two bodies and a head similar to this statue.
As Myanmar continues to evolve, the stories of Manote Thiha and the Chinthe remain a vital part of its cultural narrative, reminding us of the power of mythology to inspire, protect, and unite. These guardians stand not only as sentinels of the past but also as beacons for the future, embodying the enduring spirit of a nation. Exploring the tales of Manote Thiha and the Chinthe offers a glimpse into the soul of Myanmar, a land where legends come to life and history speaks through its silent sentinels.