Digital Print: Tribute and Beliefs of Sacred Beings in Thai Society.

Abstract

The current research aims to create a digital work of art from votive offerings, which reflects the fundamental basis of the superstitious beliefs of Thai people since ancient times. Such beliefs brought about giving votive offerings to Hindu deities among city dwellers in Ratchaprasong area, Bangkok. The result revealed that the superstitious objects based on cultural and regional beliefs were associated with the concepts of Hindu theology, which consisted of specific prayers, sacred animal symbols and tributes related to the concept and perceived power of animism. Furthermore, there existed rituals regarding worshipping gods, yearning and praying for their wishes to be fulfilled in exchange for certain tributes. The aforementioned concepts were presented through Bhakti yoga that illustrated passion and reverence through Buja to gods as though they actually existed. The research study adopted a qualitative method by the use of a field survey as well as references in order to review literature, theories, previous research studies, and related works of art, which were all analyzed and synthesized into fantastic art. The work of art indicated contemporary local beliefs of the votive offerings. The image was based on legends, manuscripts, the belief of the Three Worlds, and folklore. Superstitious beliefs and experiences were given meanings, which integrated imaginative supernatural beliefs with demonstrated human beliefs and rituals comparable to language and communication between gods and humans. It intended to impart goodness in the human mind as well as the ancient supernatural belief in the votive offerings translated into the contemporary version of such ritual.