Rare Sukhothai Votive Tablet / Yantra
AGE: – Unknown assuming the clay tablet is older than the frame
HEIGHT: – 29cm (incl frame 39cm)
WIDTH: 10cm (20.5cm incl. frame)
WEIGHT: – 1.3 kg (Incl. frame)
#5014 PRICE: – CONTACT
Rare Sukhothai Votive Tablet / Yantra mounted onto a decorative gilded metal frame resembling the arches and roof lines in Thai architecture. This clay tablet shows the image of a Sukhothai-style walking Buddha (Phra Leela) with the left arm bent at the elbow and hand extended upwards in Abhaya mudra the gesture of reassurance, with flowing robes typically seen in the Thai walking Buddha relief images in Buddhist votive tablets and Sukhothai Buddha images in the round.
This style of devotional tablet in a frame is usually placed on a temple altar or used during ceremonies. Stamped into the back are sacred geometric diagrams referred to as Yantras, originating from the Hindu-Buddhist traditions of India.
The symbols in Yantra are believed to hold great magical powers and connect the Yantra holders with the universe and deities. Yantra can be drawn on any surface or object, such as cloth, metal, paper, or even human skin. One of the most popular forms of Yantra in Thailand is the Sak Yant), which is a tattoo that contains Yantra designs and mantras.
Read More
The Khom Thai script, or Khom script, is a system of writing using ancient Khmer script with some additional and more recent characters to write texts in the Pali, Thai, and Sanskrit languages. The word Yantra comes from the Sanskrit root yam, which means “to sustain, support, or restrain”. Yantra are used for various purposes, such as meditation, protection, attraction of wealth or success, or spiritual development. They are also used as an aid to worship deities in temples or at home. Each Yantra has its own symbolism and meaning, depending on its shape, colour, and mantra.
There are four main forms of yantra:
- The circular yantra represents the face of the Buddha or the face of Lord Brahma. It is a symbol of the unity and integrity of the universe.
- The triangular yantra represents the Triple Gem of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha) or the three greatest gods of Hinduism (Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu). It is a symbol of balance and harmony.
- The square yantra represents the four continents or the four elements (earth, water, wind, fire). It is a symbol of stability and structure.
- Images of Yantra are composed of drawings of angels, humans, and animals. The meaning of the picture yantra lies in the very picture and the symbolism it represents.
Yantra also has a skeleton, which is the lines that form the design of the yantra. The lines outside and detached from the main structure are called the umbilical cord of the Buddha. Yantra also has mantra characters, which are Brahman or Buddhist spells or chants written in various scripts, such as Khom, Lanna, Lao, Burmese, Mon, or Thai.
Yantra has been an integral part of Buddhist spiritual practice in Thailand for many centuries. They have been influenced by different cultures and traditions over time. They have also been made famous by celebrities and Muay Thai fighters who wear sak yant tattoos for protection and power. Yantra are not only beautiful art forms but also powerful tools for connecting with the divine. The Khom script is still regarded as sacred due to its association with Brahmanism.
The Ancient Khmers played a key role in spreading Brahmanism to the Southeast Asia region, and as a result, ancient practices and texts related to Brahmanism and Hinduism were using Khmer-inspired scripts with several ancient societies in Mainland Southeast Asia adopting the Khmer script as their “central” written language, similar to how East Asian societies such as Japan and Korea adopted the Chinese script or the West adopted Latin alphabets.
Learn more – Yantra – Sacred Geometry to Sacred Tattoos
