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Emerald Buddha

The Emerald Buddha is Thailand’s national shrine, a Buddha statue about 66 cm high including its throne. It is worshipped at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaeo, officially Wat Phra Si Rattana Sadsadaram, in Bangkok. Despite its name and color, it is not made of emerald but of jade. The statue shows Buddha in the virasana, or Indian heroic pose, with the right leg resting over the left and the hands in the Samadhi Mudra of meditation. It has three different robes, changed three times a year in a ceremonial rite by the king or a princely deputy, with each robe suited to a different season.

The Emerald Buddha seated on a golden pedestal beneath an ornate canopy with gilded columns and jeweled decorations.
The Emerald Buddha sits in a richly decorated golden shrine with an elaborate canopy and ornate details.
March 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Emerald Buddha seated on an ornate golden pedestal beneath a decorative canopy.
The Emerald Buddha is shown seated on a richly decorated golden pedestal under an elaborate canopy.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Emerald Buddha statue in a pale golden robe on an ornate golden altar, surrounded by gilded decorations and mural-covered walls.
The Emerald Buddha displayed on an elaborate golden altar inside its Bangkok shrine.
February 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Emerald Buddha statue seated in meditation beneath an ornate shrine and hanging ornament.
The Emerald Buddha seated within a richly decorated shrine, shown in a black-and-white photograph.
1873 © Unknown · Public domain
The Emerald Buddha seated on a simple base in meditative posture.
The Emerald Buddha shown in a black-and-white archival photograph.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleEmerald Buddha
Thai namePhra Kaeo Morakot (พระแก้วมรกต)
Official namePhra Phuttha Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn (พระพุทธมหามณีรัตนปฏิมากร)
Alternative namesStatue of Buddha Shakyamuni; Il Buddha di Smeraldo; Smaragd-Buddha
TypeBuddha statue
SubjectBuddha Shakyamuni (Gautama Buddha)
StatusNational shrine of Thailand; national treasure of Thailand; palladium of Thailand

Historical context

Early provenance noteSome art historians attribute it to the Chiang Saen style, implying an origin in Lanna
Early documented presenceHistorical sources place it in northern Thailand in 1434
Discovery contextFound in a chedi destroyed by lightning; the figure had been covered with gilded stucco
Legendary originAccording to legend, it was created in Pataliputra, India, in 43 BC by Nagasena at the request of an Indian monk, then travelled via Sri Lanka, Java, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Angkor before reaching Thailand
Discovery locationChiang Rai, northern Thailand
Discovery date1434

Creator

Legendary creatorNagasena

Physical characteristics

Heightabout 66 cm including the throne
PostureSeated in virasana, with the right leg over the left
Hand positionRight hand resting loosely on the left hand in the lap, palms upward

Materials

Former appearanceOriginally concealed by gilded stucco, which later cracked to reveal the green stone surface
DecorationGold garments; gilded or golden robes
MaterialGreen jadeite (not emerald)

Appearance

RobesThree seasonal robes, changed according to hot, cool, and rainy seasons

Technique

Robe change ceremonyThe robes are changed three times a year in a ceremonial ritual by the king or a princely representative

Iconography and meaning

Attributed powersBelieved in Thailand to have magical powers and to avert epidemics
Attributed effectSaid to bring legitimacy and prosperity to its possessor

Location and ownership

Built forWat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram was built specifically to house the statue
Current roleReligious and symbolic emblem of the Chakri dynasty; icon of Bangkok
Current site within templeUbosot (main chapel), center of the building
Current locationTemple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram; Wat Phra Kaeo), Bangkok, Thailand, within the Grand Palace complex

Discovery and provenance

First transferMoved from Chiang Rai to Nakhon Lampang, then to Chiang Mai in 1468
Lampang stay32 years at Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, Lampang
Chiang Mai locationInstalled by King Tilok of Lanna in the eastern niche of Wat Chedi Luang; stayed there for 83 years
Transfer to Luang PrabangMoved there in 1551 or 1552 under King Setthathirath / Chaiyasettathirat
Move to VientianeMoved to Vientiane in 1564, where it stayed for 214 years at Wat Phra Kaeo (Vat Phra Kèo)
Move to BangkokTaken from Vientiane in 1778 or 1779 by Chao Phraya Chakri (Rama I / Thong Duan) and ceremonially installed in Bangkok on 22 March 1784
Thonburi housingTemporarily housed at Wat Arun in Thonburi after removal from Vientiane

Other

Name meaningThe name means “Emerald Buddha”; in Thai, “emerald” can mean green rather than the gemstone emerald