The Royal Barges
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Many of the figureheads that appear on the royal barges represent characters from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Hindu classic Ramayana.
Krabi Ran Ron Rap, one of the monkey warriors from the Ramakien.
Pali Rang Thawip, another character from the Ramakien
Asura Vayuphak, part-giant part-bird creature
The elaborately carved and gilded figureheads and hulls of the royal barges incorporate iconography with origins in ancient Brahmanism and Hinduism. The figure seen here is the Garuda, part-human part-bird creature who is arch enemy of the serpentlike naga that he holds in his hands. This particular creature's name is Krut Hern Het, "Flying Garuda."
Garuda figureheadKrut Hern HetFlying Garudaroyal barges Thailand
The white-monkey god Hanuman is seen here in the foreground. He is a friend and ally of Rama—Phra Ram, in Thai—in the Ramakien.
Asura Phaksi, another part-giant part-bird creature
Another view of Hanuman
Sukhreep Krong Muang, "Ruler of the City:" the monkey king Sugriva in the Ramayana
Krabi Ran Ron Rap
![Garuda in another guise, clasping <i>naga</i> with both hands and feet. This version of Garuda is called Krut Tret Traichak, "Garuda, Traveler of the Three Worlds [earth, heaven, and hell]."](https://photos.smugmug.com/Glimpses-of-Thailand/Celebrations-and-Ceremonies/The-Royal-Barges/i-q2mzt37/3/50df4b02/XL/_DSC7755-XL.jpg)
Garuda in another guise, clasping naga with both hands and feet. This version of Garuda is called Krut Tret Traichak, "Garuda, Traveler of the Three Worlds [earth, heaven, and hell]."
Garuda, seen in yet another guise, is also the traditional mount of Vishnu, one of three principal Hindu deities, who stands astride Garuda here. One incarnation of Vishnu is Rama, the hero of the Ramayana/Ramakien. Thailand's kings of the current Chakri dynasty, which dates from the late 18th century, are considered incarnations of Rama, while the Garuda is Thailand's national symbol.
Vishnu and Garuda figureheadroyal barges ThailandGaruda figureheadNarai Song Suban HM Rama IX
Asura Phaksi
A barge whose stylized tiger's head design is Chinese-derived rather than ancient Hindu.
The figures with pointed headgear in this detail from the hull of a royal barge are thewada, guardian spirits whose origins are in prehistoric animism.
Also with origins in prehistoric animism as well as in early snake-worship cults, naga are serpent princes in ancient Hinduism, worshipped as divine embodiments of the life-sustaining waters of the earth and divine guardians of those waters. They are often depicted, as here, with multiple heads.
In Hindu mythology, naga also play a role as counterforce to the universe's evolution. In one tale the naga king is subdued by Krishna, earthly avatar of Vishnu. As noted previously, Garuda, the part-human part-bird creature, is arch enemy of naga. In this detail from one of the royal barges he is seen overcoming a naga.
Detail of another barge with carved and gilded floral decoration
Another intricately carved hull, here with multiple naga motifs
This unusual detail appears to depict not only multiheaded naga (lower right) but also a naga at top whose multiple heads have been replaced by those of guardian-spirit thewada.
Hinduism is also the ultimate source, iconographically, for the most important of the royal barges, the one used by the king on rare ceremonial occasions. Its figurehead represents the mythical Supphanahongsa, golden hamsa—goose or swan—the traditional mount of Brahma. The original barge was commissioned by Rama I upon his ascension to the throne in 1782.