The Symbols of Lam Bong Rahu at the Mae Sue Pavilion of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram: Association of Medicine and Astrology

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the symbols related to Lam Bong Rahu, which is one of the newborn children’s diseases which occur throughout the year in Thailand. The symbols are located at Mae Sue Pavilion, Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, Bangkok. From the study, it was found that Thai traditional medicine presented knowledge about children's diseases through astrological concepts that cover all three aspects of astrology: calculation, prophesy, and ritual. Two types of media were used for the presentation; (1) paintings showing signs or symbols of the diseases which were presented through the symbolic paintings of zodiac deities and seasonal elements based on astrological calculations and (2) the stone inscriptions showing the methods of treatment, spells, prognosis, herbal medicine, and the sacrifices necessary for the performance of rituals for the Navagraha or the seven birthday gods - all of these topics were considered in the ritual and prophetic sections. In order to perform a ceremonial treatment, celestial bodies must be summoned. During the ceremony, ceremonial offerings and items would be arranged and offered to the deities. Soil or flour from specific places were gathered to be sculpted into the image of the Navagraha which would then be marked with the symbol of one of the birthday deities depending the lunar phase when the illness took place. These processes and rituals were used to predict whether the child would be cured and to provide mental support for their family members. In terms of pharmacological content, there were a variety of treatments, medicinal formulation methods, and medicinal recipes which varied depending on the month the child fell ill.