The Role and Political Significance of the “White Elephant” during the Reign of King Maha Chakkraphat

Abstract

     The objective of this article is to analyze the political role and significance of the "White Elephant" during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat. This analysis is linked to the traditional beliefs surrounding the concept of the "Auspicious Elephant" and the notion of the "Chakravartin" in the Ayutthaya period. The study found that the "White Elephant" refers to an elephant possessing seven auspicious traits: white eyes, a white palate, white nails, white hair, white skin (or skin resembling the color of a new earthenware pot), white tail hair, and white testicles (or of similar color). In legal terminology, it is classified as a "Royal Elephant", an animal regarded as highly auspicious according to ancient beliefs. It is viewed as a symbol of immense value, reflecting the king’s merit and serving as an auspicious emblem for the kingdom. During the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat, the kingdom boasted as many as seven white elephants, which earned the monarch the honorific title of the "White Elephant King". Beyond being a symbol of royal virtue and national fortune, the white elephant also carried significant political implications in at least three key dimensions, including as: (1) A diplomatic offering or tribute to the Chinese Emperor (Jimkong/Tributary System); (2) A tool for forging alliances with Lan Xang, aimed at balancing power against Burma; and (3) A pretext for Burma to wage war against Ayutthaya. These three dimensions are intricately tied to the concept of the "Chakkraphatirat", or a king of supreme merit and moral virtue, with the white elephant serving to reinforce
this notion.