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| [ Last Update: Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 09:48:49 EST ] |
The National Emblem (National Symbol) of Thailand features the Garuda, a figure from both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In Thailand, this figure is used as a symbol of the royal family and authority. This version of the figure is referred to as Krut Pha, meaning "garuda acting as the vehicle (of Vishnu)." The National Emblem is also the Emblem of the King of Thailand.
In 1873, King Chulalongkorn designed a coat of arms for use in Siam (the old name for Thailand), in the western heraldic style. Fourty years later, he decided that the coat of arms was too westernized and lacked any image of the Garuda (which the kings of the Ayutthaya Kingdom had used as symbol of their power).
He then ordered his brother Prince Naris to make a new emblem in place of the coat of arms. At first, Naris had designed an emblem featuring Garuda, Naga and Vishnu inside a circle. The emblem was only used for a short while before the king suggested Naris removed the images of Vishnu and Naga.
After Chulalongkorn's reign, King Vajiravudh ordered Phra Dhevabhinimit to create a new emblem. The new one featured Chulalongkorn's emblem, but encircled it to create an outer rim, which contained the royal ceremonial name. Upon coronation of a new king, the royal emblem is changed to correspond with the name of the new king. After the abdication of King Prajadhipok in 1935, King Ananda Mahidol succeeded to the throne, but he was never crowned, so a new emblem was not created and Chulalongkorn's emblem was used instead.
Today, an image of Garuda without the circle around it is used as the emblem of Thailand. It is printed at the top of official documents and letters. Garuda sculptures are given by king as a royal warrant to any reliable and lawful companies who made trade contract with royal household and request so.