The Emerald Buddha is one of Thailand’s most sacred treasures. It is a highly revered statue of the Buddha, carved from a single block of Green Jade.
-
Location: Enshrined in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), within the Grand Palace, Bangkok.
-
Height: About 66 cm (26 inches).
-
History: Believed to have been created in India around the 15th century; it later traveled through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, and finally reached Thailand in 1778, where King Rama I installed it in Bangkok.
-
Significance: Considered a palladium (protective symbol) of Thailand. Only the King of Thailand is allowed to touch it.
-
Ceremony: The King changes the statue’s golden seasonal attire three times a year (summer, rainy season, winter), symbolizing prosperity and protection for the nation.
The Emerald Buddha is not just a statue but a national and spiritual symbol of Thailand’s unity, faith, and sovereignty.
