Rajasiha or Singharaj

Rajasiha is a Thai mightiest mythological creature.There are many stories related to Rajasiha in the old Thai classical literatures and Buddhistic legends. Rajasiha is actually the lion. It's derived from the old Indian myths and later developed to become a Thai-version lion. As on Thai literatures and religious legends, Rajasihas are the high-class and most powerful creature living in Himaphand(Himalayan) jungle.

Left & Right : ivory-tusk carved Singharajs, Luang Phor Doem, Wat Nong Pho Temple .

According to Thai belief and values, Rajasiha is a symbol of authoirity or power. The emblem or logo of Thai Ministry of the Interior, which overseeing all centralized provincial governing organs,is Rajasiha.The coronation ceremony of Ayuthayan kings some few hundred years ago, Rajasiha's(lion's) skin is used for the king to sit on while guru monks performing the sacred ritual.Rajasiha is also called Singharaj, stressing on its unchallengeable power.

Left & Right : ivory-tusk carved Singharajs, Luang Phor Doem, Wat Nong Pho Temple. 

There are 4 kinds of Rajasihas: the first is Kraisorn Rajasiha; the second, Kala Rajasiha; the third,Tinna Rajasiha; and the last, Bandhu Rajasiha. But the most powerful kind is the first-Kraisorn Rajasiha.                                         

Kraisorn Rajasiha is a meat-eating creature and possesses the powerful and high-class characteristics : cleanness, toughness, braveness, unyieldingness, and elegant walking. Rajasiha is, thus, worshiped by Thai people as an idealistic example of maverick tough guys.

Left & Right : ivory-tusk carved Singharajs, Luang Phor Doem,Wat Nong Pho Temple.    

There is a Rajasiha Mantra for power building purpose.The short form or the essence of the mantra has only 4 syllables-SIHANATHANG, the word means the lion's roar. Naturally, when the lion is roaring, all other creatures are so frightened and scared. Singharaj amulets have popularly been made by Thai guru monks, most of them carved with ivory tusk. A great guru monk who made the most well-known Singharaj amulets is Luang Phor (Thai pronoun called to a revered monk) Doem, the late abbot of Wat Nong Pho Temple. He lived between 1860-1951, his ivory-tusk Singharajs are now at least 70 years old. Physical appearance of  the old used ivory-tusk amulets are just like yellow candle, they have greasy luster on the surface.

Left & Right : ivory-tusk carved Kochasinghas of Luang Phor Heng ,Wat Khao Din Temple. Kochasingha is another kind of Thai mythological creature.

It has mixed form between Kocha(elephant) and Rajasiha, so we can see the elephant trunk on its upper mouse (left picture).

The other guru monks who also made miraculous Singharajs are Luang Pho Rod of Wat Bang Nam Won Temple, his Singharajs carved with Jackfruit's wood; Luang Phor Chong of Wat Nah Tang Nok Temple- the ivory-tusk carved Singharajs; Luang Phor Hom Wat Chak Mak Temple- also the ivory-tusk carved Singharajs. Apart from those carving forms, Singharaj also appears on amuletic medals, magic jackets, and magic handkerchiefs etc.

(Left) ivory-tusk carved Singharaj of Luang Phor Hom,Wat Chak Mak Temple. It has red eyes.The tusk surface is newer than that of Luang Phor Doem because it's only 30-40 years old. (Right)  Jackfruit's wood carved Singharaj, approximately 70 years old, of Luang Phor Rod,Wat Bang Nam Won Temple.



The other guru monks who also made miraculous Singharajs are Luang Pho Rod of Wat Bang Nam Won Temple, his Singharajs carved with Jackfruit's wood; Luang Phor Chong of Wat Nah Tang Nok Temple- the ivory-tusk carved Singharajs; Luang Phor Hom Wat Chak Mak Temple- also the ivory-tusk carved Singharajs. Apart from those carving forms, Singharaj also appears on amuletic medals, magic jackets, and magic handkerchiefs etc.