The national emblem of Thailand (), the arms of dominion of the Thai monarch (currently Vajiralongkorn), is called the (RTGS transcription: Phra Khrut Pha; "Garuda as the vehicle" (of Vishnu)). The Garuda was officially adopted as the national emblem by Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1911. However, the mythical creature had been used as a symbol of royalty in Thailand for centuries. The Garuda is depicted on seals, which are used by the King and the Government of Thailand to authenticate official documents and as its primary emblem.
The Garuda is a mythological beast of the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. According to Hindu mythology, the Garuda is the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu (Narayana). The ancient kings of Thailand believed in divine kingship, and considered themselves the incarnation of the god Narayana. Thus, the Garuda came to symbolise the divine power and authority of the king.
The Garuda also features in the national emblem of Indonesia and the emblem of the city of Ulaanbaatar.
Symbolism
The Garuda is a birdlike mythological beast of the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. According to mythology, the Garuda is a large hybrid half-man and half-bird creature. The Garuda is often depicted in art as having the head, beak, wings and talons of an eagle, while his torso is like that of a human man.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 22 In the book Traiphum Phra Ruang, a Thai Buddhist literary work composed in the 14th century, he is described as having a body that was 150 yojanas across (1 yojana equivalent to 1.6 kilometres), his left and right wings 150 yojanas each, his tail 60 yojanas long, his neck 30 yojanas, his beak 90 yojanas and his talons 12 yojanas each.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 27
The Garuda's physical strength and martial prowess is recounted in the Sanskrit Puranas.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 35 In these stories he is described as the most powerful of all the winged-creatures and as such is regarded as the king of all the birds.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 25 In Buddhist literature, the Garuda lives in the legendary Himavanta forest and is regarded as semi-divine or supernatural. In the Buddhist tradition the emphasis is put on the Garuda's deeds, which portray him as a righteous and merciful being.
According to the Mahabharata, the Garuda was so powerful that no god could defeat him in battle, eventually the Hindu god Vishnu intervened. Impressed with his abilities, Vishnu made the Garuda immortal and promised him a higher seat than that of his own. Henceforth, the Garuda became the 'vahana' or vehicle of Vishnu and was allowed to sit atop the god's flagpole as a reward.Prime Minister's Office 2000, pp. 37-38
The Garuda's relationship with Vishnu or Narayana is especially significant. The doctrine of ancient Thai kingship was heavily influenced by those of India. Accordingly, the king was nothing less than an 'avatar' or incarnation of god, just as King Rama of the epic Ramayana was the incarnation of Narayana. Thus, the god Narayana and the Garuda became the accepted symbol of divine and sacred kingship in ancient Thailand.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 52
Royal seals
During the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767), the king had in his possession several seals (ตรา, tra) of various designs. These stamp seals were used in the authentication of official documents, especially on those sent out from the central administration to the provinces. They were usually made from carved blocks of ivory.Quaritch Wales, p. 83 In 1635 a law was passed, regulating the use of each seal for a specific purpose or on specific documents. For example, one was used for the interior administration, one for foreign affairs, one for military affairs and one for dynastic affairs. The king entrusted a seal to an individual minister, with a "Master of the Seal", whose role it was to write and seal all documents on his behalf.
The importance of the seals were attested when another law provided a punishment for the forgery and altering of sealed documents. Simon de la Loubère remarked that the king's own authority was linked to that of his seal. In times of turmoil and dynastic conflict, exceptional importance was attached to the seals, as it was considered that the kingdom's power and authority laid with their custodian. These seals did not survive the sacking and destruction of the city by a Burmese army in 1767.Quaritch Wales, p. 84
The use of royal seals continued in the first four reigns of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (founded in 1782). The Chakri kings would use a personal seal for private letters and four official seals for government business. The four great royal seals (พระราชลัญจกร, Phra Ratcha Lanchakon) included: the Maha Ongkan (มหาโองการ), the Khrut Pha (ครุฑพ่าห์), the Hongsaphiman (หงสพิมาน) and the Airaphot (ไอราพต) seals. The seals represented four gods: Shiva (known in Thailand as Phra Isuan), Vishnu (Phra Narai), Brahma (Phra Phrom) and Indra (Phra In). The first three belong strictly to the Hindu Trimurti (or Trinity) and the last is a popular king of the gods in Buddhism.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 53
The four seals are now kept by the Secretariat of the Cabinet and are affixed to documents by its officers in different combinations, depending on the purpose of those documents.State Seal Act (1904)After a legislative paper is signed by the King and countersigned by a competent authority, the seals are affixed to it by the officers of the Cabinet Secretariat which acts as their Keeper. Following that, a copy is published in the Government Gazette, whilst the original paper is placed for safekeeping at the Cabinet Secretariat. The constitution, however is made into three handwritten copies in the form of a traditional Thai book. The three copies were then given to; the Cabinet Secretariat, the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and the Bureau of the Royal Household. (Chettha Thongying, 2010: 41–47).
Four great royal seals Phra Ratcha Lanchakon Maha OngkanRoyal Seal of the Great Decree An Unalom symbol inside a royal Busabok pavilion, flanked by two seven-tiered royal umbrellas. The seal represents Shiva.Anuman Ratchathon 1950, pp.2-14 Phra Ratcha Lanchakon AiraphotRoyal Seal of Airavata elephant A royal pavilion mounted on the back of Airavata (a mythical three-headed elephant), flanked by two five-tiered royal umbrellas. The Airavata according to myth is the vehicle of Indra. Phra Ratcha Lanchakon Phra Khrut Pha Royal Seal of Garuda the Carrier Narayana mounted on the back of Garuda. Within the Garuda's claws are two Nāga serpents. Narayana was an incarnation of Vishnu. Phra Ratcha Lanchakon HongsaphimanRoyal Seal of the Swan Pavilion A royal pavilion mounted on the back of hamsa (a mythical swan), at its feet are lotus flowers and leaves. The hamsa according to myth is the vehicle of Brahma.
Garuda emblem Royal symbol
Thai kings recruited Brahmins from India and adopted Hindu court rituals. The national and royal symbol of Thailand is Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu. Thailand uses the Garuda () as its national symbol, known as the Phra Khrut Pha, meaning "Garuda, the vehicle (of Vishnu)," also used as the symbol of royalty. It adorns the banknote of thai currency - the Baht - as well.
These seals were used until 1873, when a European inspired coat of arms was designated by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as the national emblem of Siam. However, the creation of the coat of arms did not entirely replace the old royal seals, for a law promulgated in 1890, stated that the Khrut Pha and the Airaphot seals would continue to be used.National Emblem Act (1890) In 1893 the King changed his mind and decided that the heraldic arms was too foreign, and ordered his brother the Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs to design a new seal featuring the Garuda. The Garuda as a symbol has been depicted in royal seals since the times of Ayutthaya. The Prince drew a new seal, which was based on the old design, featuring the god Narayana mounted on the Garuda's back. This version of the seal was used only briefly, as the King was not satisfied with this rendition. Soon after he asked the Prince to redesign the seal depicting the Garuda alone.
In 1910, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) decided to abandon the coat of arms altogether and use the Garuda as his primary device. The King asked Phra Dhevabhinimit (a famous artist at the time) to design a new seal, using Prince Naris' drawing of the Garuda, but with an addition of an encirclement of the King's ceremonial name on the outer edge. In 1911 an Act on the Seals of State was passed establishing the Garuda seal as the principal seal "To be impressed for authentication of the King's signature on all important deeds and documents."State Seal Act (1911) From then on the Garuda seal named Phra Khrut Pha became the country's official emblem. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) continued the use of the seal by replacing his predecessor's name with his own. As King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) was never crowned in a coronation ceremony (and therefore was never bestowed with a regnal name), a seal for his reign was never carved, instead he used his grandfather's (those of King Rama V's) instead. The seal made for King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) was carved in 1946, soon after his coronation.
The Garuda also became the official symbol of the Thai monarchy. In 1910 King Rama VI passed an Act on Flags, which created a new set of the royal standards, in which the Garuda took a prominent place. The standard would fly above various royal residences, signifying the king's presence there. The standard would also fly in front of the king's royal vehicles. In 1996 a royal barge called Narai Song Suban (เรือพระที่นั่งนารายณ์ทรงสุบรรณ; Narayana on his carrier) was launched, the bow of the barge depicts Narayana mounted on the back of a Garuda.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 55
Drawn by Prince Naris in 1893. The seal depicts the Garuda, with wings outstretched, with Narayana mounted on his back. This version was only used briefly. The final version depicts the Garuda alone, with wings outstretched. This version was used by King Chulalongkorn. King Vajiravudh introduced the encircling of the king's ceremonial name around the Garuda. This example is the seal used by King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) which was carved for his coronation in 1950. Seal of King Vajiralongkorn, encircled with the king's official name before his coronation: "สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาวชิราลงกรณ บดินทรเทพยวรางกูร" ("Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.")
Official emblem
The Garuda was also adopted by the Royal Thai Government as its official emblem. The Garuda emblem appears on the letterhead of almost all Thai government documents.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 192 The position of the king as the earthly personification of Narayana is symbolised through the use of the Garuda. This symbolism also illustrates the belief that the government (as represented by the Garuda) is the vehicle (or instrument) of the king.Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 193 The figure of the Garuda is also used as symbol of state property, and as such is displayed on government buildings, title deeds, boundary markers and in the uniforms of the Royal Thai Police and Royal Thai Armed Forces.