An Unusual Burmese Palm Leaf Pali Manuscript from the Shan state in Myanmar with symbols painted on the outside covers representing the eight Burmese animals of the Burmese zodiac and the mythological hamsa bird.
In Burma, the number eight is also associated with eight planetary energies, eight cardinal directions, and eight days of the week whereas their calendar is composed of 12 months.
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The ancient Burmese astrological system is based on seven planets, plus Rahu. Rahu is unique for it is a conceptual celestial planet, it is the intersection point between the earth, sun, and moon at the time of the eclipse. Rahu also serves as an invisible planet of the Burmese zodiac for astrological purposes which makes up the eight planetary energies.
Mahabote, Burmese astrology is based on the eight days of the week. The extra day, Wednesday is split in half to make two days: Wednesday morning (12:01 am to 12:00 p.m.) and Wednesday afternoon (12:01 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.).
The type of Palm Leaves used in these Buddhist Manuscripts:
The term “Pe Sar” is a Myanmar expression used when referring to the Palm Leaf Buddhist Prayer Manuscript, different to the beautiful gilded kamavacca which only has between 14 to 18 pages. The word “Pe” means leaves from the palm tree, and the word “sar” stands for words. Therefore, “pesar” is the word used for palm leaves on which words are written.
Ancient Myanmar people used coryphe (talipot) and toddy palm (palmyra) leaves in which to record scriptures. The toddy palm is referred by the Barman people as “htan”, whereas the Mon people call it “ta”. It is also referred to as “ta or tala” in Hindi, Pali, and Sanskrit. The Coryphe palm in ancient times was referred to as “pe” and “Rai or Rou”, by the Mon and is still used today.
The coryphe and palmyra palm (toddy palms) is a type of palm similar to the coconut, nipa palm, arica, salu palm, and the date and sago palm. In the abhidhanappadipika texts it is referred to as a kind of grass and grows in tropical regions and has a similar shape to the toddy palm. The coryphe palm has a bigger trunk and its fruit is the size of an areca nut, its leaf is broad and soft. The tiny fibers of the leaf of the toddy palm are parallel and they easily tear, whereas the leaves of the coryphe palm don’t tear so easily.
The toddy palm (palmyra) grows as a staminate plant and bears fruit every year whereas the coryphe palm only grows as a pistillate palm and bears fruit only once in its lifetime and its leaves can only be used when the palm is between eight and twelve years old, its life span is approximately 60 years and the leaves are believed to last up to 1000 years which made it a desirable medium in which to record scriptures and other literary work in ancient times.
During the colonial period in Myanmar writing on palm leaves died out since printing machines become more fashionable, although writing on palm leaves still survived in rural areas. After the country gained independence, the tradition of writing on palm leaves vanished, and writing on buds of toddy palm leaves was mainly used by fortune tellers.
