全部の修論はこちらです。

1. ― ―
10TM1170 Salakij Rasa

2. Index
0 Introduction
...............................................................................................................................................................
4
0.1 Background
............................................................................................................................................................
5
0.2 Research Objectives
............................................................................................................................................
6
0.3 Previous studies
..........................................................................................................................................
7
0.4 Thai brief history and evidence about the usage of flower
....................................................
9
0.5 Thai Social Background
..........................................................................................................
12
Unit1: Literature review of myth and evidence about flower in Thai history
.....................................................................................................................
14
1.2 Mural painting
.....................................................................................................................................................
17
1.3 Traditional Song and Thai dance
.......................................................................................................................
18
1.4 Literature
..............................................................................................................................................................
19
1.5 Textile
.........................................................................................................................................................................
20
1.6 Thai pattern of flower in Thai art
............................................................................................................................
22
Unit2: literature review and field survey on the flower culture in daily life
..................................................................................................
24
2.1 Flower used as a gift
....................................................................................................................................................
25
2.2 Flower types and how to pick
...................................................................................................................................
26
2.3 The floral arts (process and how to use)
...............................................................................................................
34
2.3.1 A bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle
................................................................................................
35
2.3.2 Malai (Floral garland)
..............................................................................................................................................
37
2.4 leftovers of flowers after the arrangement
............................................................................................................
42
2.4.1 Small flower work or toy for children
................................................................................................................
43
2.4.2 Used to decorate food or drink
.............................................................................................................................
43
2.4.3 Making flower sachet
..............................................................................................................................................
43
2.4.4 Dried up flower that was used to worship divinity
........................................................................................
44
2.5 Flower medication
........................................................................................................................................................
44
2.6 Flower in food
................................................................................................................................................................
44
2.7 Thai traditional Fragrance from flower
.................................................................................................................
45
2.7.1 Liquid perfume
..........................................................................................................................................................
45
2.7.2 Solid perfume
.............................................................................................................................................................
46
2.8 The meanings of using flower in Thai daily life
................................................................................................
46
2.8.1 Flower and family
.....................................................................................................................................................
46
2.8.1.1
Family
activities
...................................................................................................................................................
46
2.8.1.2
Flexible
way
of
life
due
to
flower
availability
.........................................................................................
47
2.8.1.3
Transmission
of
knowledge
in
a
family
.....................................................................................................
47
2.8.1.4
Specific
scent
reflects
good
quality
of
life
.................................................................................................
47
2.8.1.5
Teaching
each
family
member’s
responsibility
for
their
role
..........................................................
48
2.8.2
Flower
and
community
........................................................................................................................................
48
2.8.2.1
Encouragement
of
networking
in
a
community
....................................................................................
48
2.8.2.2
Flowers
as
an
emotional
symbol
..................................................................................................................
48
2.8.3
Flower
and
nature
..................................................................................................................................................
48
2.8.3.1
Natural
resource
utilization
............................................................................................................................
48
2.8.4 Flower and religious belief (divinity)
.................................................................................................................
50
2.9 Conclusions
.....................................................................................................................................................................
51
2.9.1 Thai people use floral arts for religion purposes
............................................................................................
51
2.9.2 Materials of floral arts depend on availability of natural resources
.........................................................
51
2.9.3 Thais utilize plants to their full potential
..........................................................................................................
51
Unit3: literature review and field survey on the flower culture in special occasion
..............................................................................
52
3.1 Flower used as a gift
....................................................................................................................................................
53
3.2 Flower type
.....................................................................................................................................................................
53
2

3. 3.3 The floral arts (process and how to use)
...............................................................................................................
55
3.3.1 Yearly events
..............................................................................................................................................................
55
3.3.1.1 malai (floral Malai)
...............................................................................................................................................
55
3.3.1.2 Floating flowers over water
...............................................................................................................................
57
3.3.1.3 Phanphum (Floral arts on pedestal tray)
........................................................................................................
58
3.3.1.4 A bouquet of flower, incense sticks and candle
..........................................................................................
60
3.3.1.5 Krathong (Floating flower raft)
........................................................................................................................
61
3.3.2 Event through life span
...........................................................................................................................................
64
3.3.2.1 malai (Floral garland)
...........................................................................................................................................
64
3.3.2.1.1Marriage malai
.....................................................................................................................................................
64
3.3.2.2 Phan dokmai/ phan phum (floral arts or pedestral tray)
...........................................................................
65
3.3.2.3 Baisri (Offering to divinity)
...............................................................................................................................
66
3.3.2.3.1 Usage of Baisri in a birth celebration ceremony
.....................................................................................
68
3.3.2.3.2 Usage of Baisri in a new resident celebration ceremony
......................................................................
69
3.3.2.3.3 Usage of Baisri in other Brahman rituals
...................................................................................................
70
3.3.2.4 A bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle
............................................................................................
70
3.3.2.5 Flower cone
.............................................................................................................................................................
70
3.3.2.6 Flower arranged to decorate coffin
..................................................................................................................
71
3.3.2.7 Dok Mai chan (Chan flower)
.............................................................................................................................
71
3.4 The leftover flower
.......................................................................................................................................................
72
3.4.1 Leftover flower will be dried and used as an element to make sacred talisman
..................................
72
3.5Flower in food
.................................................................................................................................................................
72
3.6 The meaning
...................................................................................................................................................................
73
3.6.1 Flower and religious
.................................................................................................................................................
73
3.6.1.1 Blessing and purification of mind, and body
...............................................................................................
74
3.6.2 Flower and community
...........................................................................................................................................
74
3.6.2.1 Yearly event
............................................................................................................................................................
74
3.6.2.2 Events through life span
......................................................................................................................................
74
3.6.3 Flower and nature
.....................................................................................................................................................
75
3.6.4 Flower scent as a cultural symbol
........................................................................................................................
75
3.7 Conclusion
......................................................................................................................................................................
75
3.7.1 Brahmanism and Buddhism influence ceremony in people life and people value.
............................
75
3.7.2 People use flower as a communication tool
.....................................................................................................
76
Unit4: Characteristic of flower culture in Thailand
..............
77
4.1 Thai people utilize flower for both physical and mental aims.
.....................................................................
78
4.2 Scent and form of flowers can influence situational atmosphere
.................................................................
79
4.3 Floral arts activity strengthens the community bond and encouraging communication
.......................
79
4.4 Separation of roles in family
.....................................................................................................................................
79
Unit5: Analyses of Questionnaire from the Young and a Proposal of Design a Living Concept in
Bangkok
....................................................................................
81
5.1 Analyses of questionnaire
..........................................................................................................................................
82
5.2 Proposal for design a living in Bangkok
...............................................................................................................
99
Conclusion
............................................................................................................................................
103
Appendix A
.........................................................................................................................................................................
106
Reference
.............................................................................................................................................................................
106
Photography and Illustration
..............................................................................................................................
109
Appendix B
.........................................................................................................................................................................
114
Interview Script
..............................................................................................................................
114
Questionnaire
.............................................................................................................................
127
3

4. Introduction
4

5. 0.1 Background
In Thailand, there are varieties of flowers growing all year round due to tropical climate and
humidity (Natejinda, 2009). Accordingly, Thais’ way of life is intermingle with flowers.
Specifically, flowers are extensively employed in the form of floral arts among others, such as
medicine and cuisine. The benefits of floral arts to Thais are immensely as it gives rise to the
relationship between people and people as well as people and nature.
Floral arts bind Thai people with other people because every household practices and shares
the same value of floral arts. Thai people use products of floral arts at many occasions
together, starting from at a party for welcoming newborns to at a funeral. This collective
value contributes to the feel of belongingness to a family and a community.
Equally important, floral arts also bind Thais with nature. In the past, because flowers were
used in floral arts in everyday life, people grow their own garden or field. As a result, they
have acquired skills and knowledge about agriculture and have gradually passed them on
from generation to generation. This way folk knowledge about floral arts have transmitted
and preserved as an integral custom in Thai society.
Perhaps due to globalization and capitalization, floral arts have been declined quickly in
modern Thai society, especially in urban areas in the central part of Thailand. The fact that
people in this area live in a nuclear family, have small household area, emphasis on formal
education at school and are less involved with religion might be among a myriad of possible
factors contributing to the decline. Although many forms of flowers are still available through
merchandizes, it became less significant of a role in Thai urban areas. People not only use less
of traditional flowers, but they also have less chance to practice with floral arts themselves.
Therefore, children nowadays would not have much chance to experience a community tie
created by activities concerning flower and to learn the Thai wisdom of how to co-exist with
nature and other human beings embedded in floral arts.
5

6. 0.2 Research Objectives
Flower plays significant roles in creating bonds within one’s family and making Thai people
realize the interdependency among human, society and the environment.
As a result, disappearing of this tradition could be one of most crucial social issues to Thai
society. So the main objective of this research is (1) to reconfirm the functions of traditional
activity concerning flower. This is for Thai people to recognize the traditional culture and
reconsider further decision to co-exist with beautiful and abundant nature once again.
(2) To investigate the characteristic of flower culture or/and culture about scent in Bangkok,
Thailand. (3) To create a guideline of living with nature in contemporary Thai lifestyle. This
guideline will suggest how we can transmit the meanings and beliefs underlying the
traditional customs about flowers to younger generations and how we can strengthen the bond
among community senior members and their children.
Together, the over-arching goal of this study is to document the floral arts custom and its
significance to Thai society. This is so that the wisdom of this tradition will not be lost, and
hopefully, will be transmitted to people in the future generation.
Research method
1. Literature review:
Existing document on traditional floral arts, especially on forms, purposes, and usages of each
type of arrangement will be reviewed.
2. Field survey:
The field survey will focus on gathering information as to the specific reasons whether and
why the tradition has been disappearing, and as to the counter measurements against it.
Specifically, traditional and current floral arts will be compared and contrasted in regard to
their forms, making methods, and purposes. Meaning and implicit values, such as forming the
family bonds, will also be another focal point of the survey. The possible impact to society
due to the change in this tradition, if any, will be documented. This survey will be done by:
2.1) Interviewing senior citizens in Thai Central region who used to make flower decorations
in some special occasions
2.2) Interviewing specialists in Thai floral arts school, and commercial shop
2.3) Conducting Questionnaire on the young about floral arts use in present daily life
6

7. 0.3 Previous studies
It has been consistently shown that flower plays significant roles in Thai culture. In a study by
La-ongsri (2008), for instance, the researcher demonstrated the wide usage of flower in daily
life by using a sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) as an example. Commonly revered by
Thai people as a representative flower of Buddha, the sacred lotus is commonly use in
religion-related ceremonies even in nowadays. More surprisingly, sacred lotus was found to
be used as many other secular objects, ranging from food, desserts, medicines and food
wrapper. This research shows how involved Thai people are with the flower culture.
The usage of flower is not restricted only in the central part of the country, where the capital
cities have been located for centuries and where culture seems to be most flourish. As an
example, Binson (2009) conducted an anthropological work studying traditional ceremonies
among Lanna People, a group whose culture has spread throughout the Northern part of
Thailand. She found that Lanna People use flower extensively in their rituals. Lanna People in
fact have complicated rules on the usage of flowers in each specific rituals. For instance,
many specific types of flowers are strictly used in Wai Kru --a ritual of which Lanna people
use for paying respect to teachers. This ritual, indeed, has been adapted by Thai people in
most of the regions in the country and has continued to be practiced up until now.
The wide usage of flower in Thai culture can not only be found in research papers, but also in
other forms of writing evidence. This point is demonstrated in the novel Four Reigns (Sri Pan
Din), one of the most classic and popular Thai novels, written by previous Thai prime
minister, Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj in 1954, and recognized by UNESCO as a historic
piece of evidence in Thai culture (Devakula, 2010). In this novel occurring between 1868 -
1946, royal ladies spread the culture of flower usage to the public. They offered strict, time-
consuming lessons of using flower to the young women in Bangkok, the capital city. At that
time, the skill of using flower was considered as highly desirable by the society. Therefore,
Thai ladies were highly motivated to acquire such a skill. Moreover, flowers at that era had
been used in many social and religious activities. To illustrate, Thai people spent significant
of time arranging traditional flower Malai for offering to Buddhist monks at the temple on
Buddhist holy days, where they met with others in the community. In addition, floral Malai
was offered to the divinity or guardian spirit at the house regularly as a family activity. From
this novel, we can see that, historically, flower has been used in Thai culture for a long period
of time, and it contributed to societal and family tie in Thai culture.
7

8. From aforementioned written literature, the culture of flower usage in Thailand has been
found in many ceremonies and daily activities across regions in the country, and has been
historically important to the people. Nonetheless, studies on the traditional usage of flower in
Thailand are still limited. Only a few works have been done on many psychological roles that
flower may play in Thailand. Many important questions regarding the flower usage culture in
Thailand still remain. For instance, what are the meanings of using flowers? Why people
spend significant amount of time on making floral arts, a behavior of which seems to be
unproductive (as compared to food production)? What are the characteristics of flower culture
in Thailand? What are the criteria of choosing flower type? This type of questions should be
addressed by using systematic research methodology in order for us to design a living for
Thai culture; especially after the tradition of flower usage has rapidly declined in the recent
decades.
8

9. 0.4 Thai brief history and evidence about the usage of flower
Figure0.1 evidence of flower usage in history
In the history of Thailand, Thais have long been involved with flowers. Flower usage is
thought to be influenced by other ethnicities, such as Dvaravati and Mon (2nd-11th century)
and Khmer (8th-13th centaury), who resided in the area of current Thailand even before Thai
ethnic groups were formed (Pothinandha, 2000). More specifically, this influence is believed
to be in a form of religious activities of Theravada Buddhism and Brahman, which were
originated from people from Sri Lanka and India, respectively (Meekotgong, 2008).
Nonetheless, written evidence of specific usage of flower in these “classic” eras was scarce.
The details on how people used flowers during those periods were speculative at best
(Intakul, 2009).
It was not until the period of Sukhothai Kingdom (13th centaury -16th centaury) when Thai
ethnicity was firstly formed that the first concrete evidence about flower usage was found
(Intakul, 2009 Specifically, it was found along with other information regarding way of lives
in Sukhothai era in a chronicle, “NangNoppamas” (Punjawuthipatt. 2004). In this document
(cited in Intakul, 2009), there is a story of Nang Noppamas (also known as Lady Sri
Noppamas or Lady Sri Chulalaksana). She made a floating lantern by sewing together
multicolored fresh flower petals. This lantern, designed into a full-bloom lotus form, was used
for the full moon ceremony, called Loy Kratong, on the full-moon night in the 12th month of
the lunar calendar. Thanakit (2006) believed that the use of the lantern, called Kratong, has
two original purposes. The first purpose was to offer as a gift to Mae Khongkha, the Goddess
of Water. This purpose was based on the belief in Brahman Religion spread from India. The
second purpose was based on Buddhist belief. Kratong was supposed to be an offering to pay
homage to the footprint of Buddha in Saraburi. Regardless of which of the two theories is
true, this early evidence of the use of flowers in Thailand shows the influence of religion(s)
on this custom.
9

10. In 1350, another Thai kingdom, Ayutthaya, was formed. It was so powerful that Sukhothai
became a vassal state of Ayutthaya in 1378, and became one of the most powerful kingdoms
in the area (Provincial interior of Sukhothai province, 1998). As a result, culture during this
period was extremely flourished, and in fact most of traditional Thai cultural practices can be
traced back to this era. However, written documents during this period were lost for the most
part, mainly due to the wars with Burma--the last one in 1766 of which ended up in a burned
down city of Ayutthaya.
Nonetheless, due to long peaceful periods of this Ayutthaya era (300-400 years) (Intakul,
2009), it is not too risky to assume that floral art was extensively exercised during this
thriving period in the nation’s cultural and commercial development. One remaining piece of
evidence confirms this notion. On the wall at one of the last few remaining Buddhist
monasteries in Ayutthaya, Wat Rachaburana, there are some mural paintings made in the
early Ayutthaya. Flower Malais, or “malai” were found in these paintings. It is a common
practice in Thailand art that artists painted life stories in monasteries and temples (Jaiser,
2009). Hence, we might then be able to assume from these paintings that arranging malai, as
well as other forms of floral arts, were commonly practiced in Ayutthaya period especially for
religious purposes.
After the war with Burma, the new dynasties were formed, and the capital city was moved
from Ayutthaya to Thonburi and then to Bangkok (Wyatt, 1984). In this new capital city of
Bangkok, Chakri dynasty has ruled the country since 1782 up until now in the period called
Ratanakosin. It was this time where Thai culture was restored and flourished again (Intakul,
2009). Unlike in the previous periods, abundant pieces of evidence on the use of flowers have
been found here in many forms, e.g. mural paintings and literatures. Moreover, many scholars
agreed that during the reign of King Rama V (aka King Chulalongkorn the Great) was the
golden age of Thai-style floral art (Intakul, 2009).
In the King Rama V era, the king showed great interest in floral art (Intakul, 2009). Royal
ladies were trained on this delicate craft of floral arts, and competed their skills with one
another. Old flower arranging techniques were revised, while new techniques were developed
for greater variety and complexity of the arranged flowers. Moreover, the flourish of floral art
was not limited to noble people; civilians also employed the use of flowers in their daily life.
For instance, Dokmai chan (Chan flower) a flower craft of which had only been used in royal
funeral was also found in civilians’. Despite of this popularity during Rama V reign, Thai
floral art has gradually declined afterward, perhaps due to bad economic crises and the
Worlds Wars (Intakul, 2009).
10

11. In sum, evidence shows that the history of floral art in Thailand can be dated back to more
than 700 years as early as Sukhothai period. Thai people have continued practicing it
throughout the kingdoms history from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya and Ratanakosin. Moreover,
from historical evidence, its practice has been strongly influenced by religions and has usually
been found among Thai royal people. The floral art, nevertheless, is extended to other
domains of lives, beside religion, and to civilians, not just people in the royal court, as will be
seen in the next section.
11

12. 0.5 Thai Social Background
To analyze any kind of customs in Thailand, it is hard to avoid discussing the role of two
factors: religion and gender role. There is no exception for such a custom as Thai floral art. In
this section, these two factors will be discussed in details on their contribution to the current
use of floral art.
The first factor is the role of religion on maintaining and transmitting Thai traditional customs.
This can obviously be seen in a form of a temple. In the past, a temple was the center of a
community in Thailand (Thai Health Promotion Foundation, 2010). A temple was an integral
part of every day life for Thai people. Monks in a temple were responsible for teaching and
uniting people in a community. Most importantly, monks provided education to the young.
Based on Buddhist sermons, monks guide what consider good or bad behaviors. As such, the
temple played an important role in shaping Thai society and its values. In addition, when a
new baby was born, it was taken to become one of the community members at a temple.
Likewise, a funeral was held at a temple. Temples hold many activities and acted as a town
hall assembles. As a result, people gathered at temples on every special occasion. All in all, a
temple in the past history of Thailand is a place for the young to learn and to grow, for the
community to meet and to network, and hence for customs to be transmitted. Because of this,
customs that are transmitted though a temple, including floral arts, seem to intermingle with
people’s way of life. Figure 0.2 shows an illustration of students use flower to pay respect to
Buddist altar at a temple.
The role of a temple, nonetheless, has become less dominant in Thai society. This perhaps
started with cultural reformation in late 1800s and early 1900s due to western colonization
threats. For example, in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925), there were several attempts
to establish western-style formal education to replace temple-based education (Bibliography
of King RamaIV,2009). Hence, the role of a temple has become less influential to Thai
generations after the reformation, especially to those who are accessible to formal education
such as citizens of Bangkok. These generations, then, have not had a chance to expose to Thai
traditional customs that are transmitted by means of a temple. Instead, they learn it through a
classroom, such as at a vocational school for women or as an elective class in a normal school
(Sorot, 2005). This new learning method, however, separates customs like floral arts from
way of life. As such, people might only regard the skill of floral arts as “commercialized or
educational knowledge,” that has nothing to do with their life style. For instance, if people in
the current generation do not use floral arts skill for a living by making commercialized
12

13. products, they might not have a chance to practice the arts in their daily life after school years
as people in previous generations did at a temple.
We consider gender role as another important factor that play a role on transmitting and
keeping Thai traditional customs. This is especially applicable for such a high gender-specific
custom as floral arts. In the past, there was a sharp distinction between male and female’s
roles in Thai society. Women were mainly responsible for all housework and spent significant
time making crafts and artwork. However, in a modern day, gender role in Thailand has been
changed, especially in the capital city of Bangkok. Although the current gender role is not
perfectly equal, increasing number of women has entered workforce (National Statistical
Office, 2005; 2011). This creates the change in people’s way of life with regard to floral arts
in many ways. Firstly, women cannot afford time to make their own floral arts anymore.
Instead of making floral arts themselves, as a routine of family in the past, they purchase the
commercialized products, if necessary. Moreover, this behavioral tendency also reinforces
another change and vise versa. That is, making floral arts has become a job, and arranged
flowers become common goods. (see Figure 0.3 to see the picture of change in behavior) This
also has made materials for floral arts commercialized products in market, even though in the
past they are commonly found and grown everywhere. These changes might inhibit people to
appreciate the underlying meanings of the custom.
Figure 0.2 Praying at temple
Figure 0.3 the lifestyle of making floral arts changed
13

14. Unit1: Literature review of myth and evidence about
flower in Thai history
14

15. Unit1: Literature review of myth and evidence about flower in Thai history.
Historical evidence from the previous unit has shown strong connection between flower and
religion. Now, in this unit, we will further analyze the use of floral arts in Thailand by
drawing from other types of evidences. Specifically, this unit will discuss the pervasiveness
of flowers to Thai society in the following categories: vocabulary, myths, mural painting,
traditional song and dance, literature, textile, and drawing pattern.
Flower in Thai language (Vocabulary and idiom)
Flower is called “ dok mai” in Thai language. dok means a part of plant, which later bears
fruits. In other words, dok, short form of dok Mai, means flower in English. Mai means
plant. However, dok mai is used in many contexts and has many meanings (The Royal
Institute Thailand, 2011). First, pasa dok mai, or flower language, refers to speaking in
polite way or using polite words in conversation. Furthermore, it is also refers to a polite
language that a well-trianed lady use. Second, keb dok mai ruam ton can be translated
into English as picking flower from the same plant. In Thai, this idiom means two people
who know each other very well before, such as spouse in former life. Picking flower
implies that they had offered floral arts to divinity before. Floral arts are crafts delicately
made from flowers which people use for offering to divinity. Third, Dok Fah or flower in
the sky refers to a woman with high social status. In fact, the meaning of flower in this
context means a woman. Furthermore, sky refers to unreachable place. In other words,
dok fah is a praising word for women and their family. Forth, dok mai rim tang, or flower
on the sideway, refers to a woman who is easily flirted by any man. In this case, dok mai
refers to a woman and sideway refers to anywhere with no owner. So at that kind of
place, people can pick the flower without reconsideration. Moreover, that flower seems to
have no protection and no value at all. This idiom is used to defy a bad behavior of a
woman.
In addition, women in the past often had flower name as their name. Therefore,
vocabulary and idiom about flower can be referred to politeness, religious belief as well
as obviously a sense of feminine.
15

16. Figure 1.1 Four types of lotus in the myth from Buddhist teaching
- 1.1 Myth
Roots of customs are often found in Myths. Therefore by analyzing myths, we might find the
reasons behind the custom of floral arts in Thailand. There are several Thai myths involving
flowers. Because most of Thai citizens are Buddhists (National Statistical Office, 2005), there
are several myths in Thailand concerning about Buddha. This section, hence, will review four
myths--three of which are relevant to Buddhism.
The first myth is about sacred lotus in Buddha’s life. Soon after his birth, the newborn
Buddha was believed to walk seven steps (Jaiser, 2009). Upon this walk, there was a miracle
of sacred lotus rising underneath to support his bare feet. Because sacred lotus is relevant to
Buddha’s life, it is often revered as a precious flower, and is used extensively for religious
purposes.
The second myth is also related to Budda’s life. Upon each of the four steps of his progress
toward the discovery of the Four Noble Truths, there was an enormous lotus blossoming
underneath him (Jaiser, 2009). These Four Noble Truths, including the nature of suffering or
Dukkha, suffering’s origin or Dukkha Samudaya, Suffering’s cessation or Dukkha Nirodha
and the path leading to the cessation of suffering or Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Magga,
represents laws of nature according to Buddhism’s belief. S Again, this may underlie the use
of sacred lotus in floral arts for religious purposes.
The third myth is relating to sacred lotus in one of the Buddhist’s teachings. In order to
understand the Buddhist’s concept of enlightenment, the Lord Buddha used lotus as an
analogous to four states of enlightenment (Ounayakawit, Punyasingh, 1972). The lotus grows
in muddy water, and yet the dirt and muddy water fall off its leaves and petals, keeping it
clean and pure. A connection is made that (1) the seed of the lotus blossom represents a
person at an early stage of the karmic cycle. As the person continues to walk their path and
rises higher in their spiritual evolution, they leave the murky water of samsara
(pain/suffering/attachment) behind. This is when (2) the lotus bud leaves muddy water and
later (3) emerges from under the water and reaches a purer state of consciousness. Over time
16

17. the bud blossoms as they move towards a state of nirvana. When a person has reached nirvana
(enlightenment/freedom from worldly attachments) they are representative of (4) a perfect
lotus bloom. The illustration describing this myth is shown in Figure1.1.
From these three myths, sacred lotus is highly relevant to Buddha’s life and teaching. As a
result, in Thai culture, it symbolizes chastity or purity of the Buddhist virtue. Hence,
religious-related floral arts in Thailand often involve this flower.
The forth myths is about a folk story about beauty and flowers (Meekotgong, 2008). Flowers
are thought to have relationship with beauty. To be more specific, Thai people believe that
when someone offer flowers to divinity, in return they will be beautiful in their next life. This
is linked to the Buddhist’s concept of karma. Karma is used for the consequence of one’s
actions in the current life to the next life, or in the previous life to the current life. For
example, the social status in one’s current life is the consequence of his/her previous actions
in his/her past life. From this logic of Karma, lower status people should try to make good
actions in order to be returned with good consequences in the next life. Likewise, with a
strong belief in karma in mind, a woman with an ugly husband might attribute the reason for
this by thinking that she offered withered flowers to Buddha in her previous life. Another
example from a folk story is that one of the Buddhist believers offered the Buddha a medicine
made from lotus and became very fortunate and healthy as a consequence. From recent
survey, Thai people hold strong belief in karma (National Statistical Office, 2005). For them,
Karma is used to explain many aspects of life (Jackson year, cited in Winter, 2006). These
might be another reason to reinforce the use of beautiful floral arts for religious purposes.
- 1.2 Mural painting
Figure 1.2 Thai mural painting with lotus
Thai mural painting is a religious art, and its aim is therefore didactic. The painting was
supposed to lead the laity in the temple to a better understanding of Buddhist stories and to
put them into the right mood to better receive the Buddha’s preaching (Ringis, 1990).
17

18. Flowers are frequently found on mural paintings. They often depict an offering to the nature,
the virtue of Buddha or the pleasant atmosphere in utopia.
The vast majority of Thai murals concentrate on the life of Buddha life and his last ten
incarnations, the so-called thosachat (Jaiser, 2009). Blossom lotus can easily been found
related to Buddha life story as it is always underneath him to support his virtue. So flower is
worth offering to the Buddha and became one of the essential offerings to divinity.
Flowers are also used to symbolize the pleasant atmosphere in nirvana (Jaiser, 2009). Beside
the Buddha life, mural paintings in a temple show the environment of heaven, earth, and hell.
In heaven, flowers are often noticed as decorating patterns on background or as ornaments of
angels on foreground. See Figure 1.2 for an example of heaven in mural painting. We might
see, from moral painting, that flowers have long been represented the holiness or pleasant
atmosphere. Every time people visit a temple and see mural painting, they might associate
holiness with flowers.
- 1.3 Traditional Song and Thai dance
Thai traditional songs and dances are related to floral arts in many ways. They often reflect
the beautifulness of flowers in many domains. For instance, many songs aim to appreciate the
natural beauty of flowers. For example, in the song called “Rabam Dok Bua” or Lotus dance,
lotus is used as a symbol of beauty to attract audiences (Thai Dances, 2011). This song
describes the attractiveness of lotus when it blossoms.
Classical songs sometimes are also used for describing good behaviors. In a classical song
called “dokmai kong chart” or National flower, the word “flower” is used to represent women
(Thai dances, 2011). More specifically, this song uses flowers as a symbol to indicate that
there is a need for a nation to have women who have better manner and more patient than
men in order to support and unite the nation.
Similar to Thai traditional songs, flowers are extensively found in Thai traditional dance.
Flowers are used, for instance, in one of the most popular classical dances, called Khon. Khon
is the dance for Thai-version Ramayana, the classic India epic story. The story is about the
great battle among evil giants, heaven angles and humans. In the dance of Khon, floral arts
emphasizes how prominent the character is (Thai Dances, 2011). Specifically, audiences can
distinguish main characters from others by merely looking at floral arts and floral tassels at
18

19. the top part of an actor’s head ornament. See Figure 1.3 for Khon costume with flower arts on
head ornament. Khon also uses floral artss as a symbol to accent the great power the goddess
and human have. This way the flower used in Khon implies how righteous floral arts is.
In sum, flowers are extensively used in Thai traditional songs and dances. They often
symbolize beauty and righteousness. This is in line with other forms of arts, such as mural
paintings and literature.
Figure 1.3 flower used in Khon classical dance
1.4 Literature
It is commonly found flowers portraying in Thai literature. As mentioned before in the
previous unit, this can be dated back to Memoirs of Lady Sri Noppamas, the literature written
in Sukhothai period, around 700 years ago, to many contemporary works.
In many pieces of literature, flowers are included in various aspects of Thai people life. For
instance, flowers are used as ingredient in many products ranging from food, cloths,
cosmetics and medicine to precious floral arts (Thephahadhi, 1998). In addition, in religious-
related scenes of these works, it is fairly common to find actors in the literature use flowers to
pray for sacred items (Thephahadhi, 1998). This indicates that Thai literature portrays the use
of flowers not only for practical purposes but also for spiritual purposes.
It is also commonly found the use of flowers to symbolize expression for love, flirting and
heart-breaking scene (Thephahadhi, 1998). This indicates that Thai literature authors use
flower as a symbol. The flowers that once show love in the full bloom period can also mean
failure when it withered. These aforementioned characteristics are found in one of the most
popular contemporary Thai novels, Four Reigns (Pramoj, 1998).
19

20. Figure 1.4 Grandmother teach her granddaughter to make traditional liquid fragrance, scene from
Thai series “ Four reigns”
Four Reigns portrays the usages of flowers occurring between 1868-1946. Flowers at that era
had been used in many social and religious activities (See Figure 1.4 , for a scene from four
reigns series ) For example, Thai people spent significant of time arranging traditional flower
Malai for offering to Buddhist monks at the temple on Buddhist holy days, where they met
with others in the community. In addition, floral Malai was offered to the divinity or guardian
spirit at the house regularly as a family activity. The flower left was also used as an ingredient
for making traditional liquid and solid fragrance. Additionally, royal ladies spread the skill of
using flowers to the public. Even though the lesson is strict and time-consuming, it is
regarded as a highly desirable by the society. Therefore, lots of Thai women citizen were
motivated to acquire this skill.
From this novel, we can see that, historically, flowers have been intermingled with Thai
people life, and they contribute to society and nature.
- 1.5 Textile
20

21. Figure 1.5 silk textile pattern, Bakul flower
Making textile utilizes flowers in many ways, such as using flower as a fabric color dye and
an inspiration to create textile patterns. Traditionally, flowers can be used to dye silk or other
fabrics, such as red color from Marigold, blue from butterfly pea and yellow from Safflower
(Ketkhao, 1997). With community wisdom, people use many kinds of flowers to extract for
dying variety colors clothes.
Figure 1.6 pattern of systematically arranged flower
Moreover, traditional textile patterns are believed to develop from the value of flowers in
Thai community. Natural flowers portrayed the beauty of nature. The textile patterns got an
inspiration from flowers , further binding it into organized pattern as in Figure 1.5. Thai
handicrafts are inspired by the flower's form and beauty (Ounayakawit, 1972). The textile
museum of Naraysuen University describes the reasons Thai got an inspiration from natural
flower as followed. First, the pattern from systematically arranged flower symbolized the
ideal peaceful and disciplinary life. Secondly, using Thai traditional flowers, used to offer for
sacred item and monks, symbolizes the tact of the citizen which holding the belief to the
Buddhism. For example, Bakul, Kaew, and Baan yen flower. Thirdly, the flowers of water
21

22. plants symbolize people united and delicacy since it is a small flower that always grows fast
as a group. Lastly, the Bakul flower shape of elaborated square also symbolizes the essential
four natural elements: earth, water, wind, and fire. (Thai Textile Museum, 2008) This way,
textile pattern (see Figure 1.6) use flowers to show the delicacies of crafts along with the
customs and value of living in a group of Thai people.
- 1.6 Thai pattern of flower in Thai art
Thai Art was enormously influenced by nature, and develop into systematic pattern as in
Figure 1.7). The basic patterns are belief to get the inspiration from fire, water, flowers and
ideal creature. The patterns were widely used for gable decoration of Temple, or/and
Sanctuary. Somehow, they were also used for wooden sculpture or stucco artwork such as in
Figure 1.8.
Figure 1.9 Jasmine in painting
Flower pattern was claimed to have related to religious belief. Patterns with flower that used
to offer to sacred item represent the homage to superstitious belief. For example, (Figure 1)
22

23. Lotus was used in many patterns of Thai ancient art. This is because Lotus is a main symbol
of Buddhism in Thailand. (Figure 1.9) From the ancient architectural element, lotus pattern
can obviously noticeable. The pattern is forced to connect in relatively geometric form.
Therefore Thai ancient pattern are sharing the characteristic of symmetry and orderly
arranged.
Apart from Lotus, There are some of the flower patterns existed such as Jasmine, Pudtarn
flower (inspired by “Bai faithet”leaves), and Prajamyarm pattern. Although Prajamyarm is
not a real flower in nature, it is a basic pattern of Thai traditional art (see Figure 1.10). It is
widely used as a main decorative pattern has applied to the pillar, door, and window of the
Temple or the Palace. The pattern is built in the square frame with a circle in the center and
divided the corner area into 4 parts like a petal flower. Figure 1.10 shows a characteristic of
symmetric and perfectly arranged can referred to a flower bloom in heaven.
Figure 1.10 prajamyarm, basic pattern resemble organized flower
In conclusion, literature review of myth and evidence about flower in Thai history indicate
high degree of engagement Thais have with flowers in various domains of arts. From this, we
can see 1) the influence of religion on floral arts, 2) the association between righteousness and
flowers and 3) preference toward rules of order in floral arts. These values explain how floral
arts are used.
23

24. Unit2: literature review and field survey on the flower
culture in daily life
24

25. Unit2: literature review and field survey on the flower culture in daily life
This unit focuses on floral arts and its underlying meanings, drawing from literature and field
survey in Bangkok, conducted from August to September, 2011. Varieties of purposes of
floral arts are listed here. From here, we can see that there is a strong connection between
flowers and Thai citizens. Flowers are used in daily life as they serve for religious purpose as
well as for other secular purposes, such as ingredients in food, medicine, or even fragrance.
Figure 2.1 A specialist making malai (floral garland)
- 2.1 Flower used as a gift
Flowers in Thailand are often used as a gift as an expression of love, gratitude, appreciation,
or even apology. Examples of such a usage are given here.
For an expression for love, in the past, Thai men used to use a Crown flower (Calotropis
gigantea R. Br.) to express their love to women. Because the Thai name of Crown flower is
pronounced the same as the word “love” in Thai language, Crown flower is a symbol of
affection.
25

26. Flowers are also used as a gift for giving respect and gratitude toward others. This is often
seen in the context of religion. Flowers are often used to offer to divinity. Specifically, Thai
people hold a strong belief in offering sacred items or Buddhist monks arranged flowers.
These arranged flowers are among the most delicate and take very high effort.
Lastly, according to Thai traditional life style, flowers can be used to show apology as well.
People give arranged flowers to show their regret when they do something wrong to the
person they respects.
- 2.2 Flower types and how to pick
Due to tropical climate in Thailand, various flowers are very easy to find, either in cultivated
or naturally grown fields. Nonetheless, some flowers are closer related to people life than
others. According to literature reviews and field survey, here are examples of 61 kinds of
commonly used flowers; including sacred lotus, jasmine, damask rose, and many others are
discussed in this chapter. Flowers used in food and medicine purposes are from literature
review such as Thaithong, O. (1999). Accordingly, flowers used for floral arts are reviewed
from both literature reviews and field survey results. We focus on their names and the
methods of picking of each flower. Details are given to more commonly used flowers than the
less common ones.
Figure 2.2 Lotus picking in Thailand, 1868. The British Library
1.) Sacred Lotus (Bua Luang): Nelumbo nucifer
Bua means lotus, and Luang means royal in Thai language. Picking sacred lotus can be both
recreation and obligation. From the interview, picking the lotus can be a chance to meet and
communicate with other people in community. Since sacred lotus is grown in the mud under
water, picking the lotus requires riding a boat or walking in pool or swamp of public area.
26

27. Figure 2.3 different stages of sacred lotus flower
Figure 2.4 Parts of sacred lotus (from left: stamen, rhizome, stolen, dried old seed, leaf)
Sacred lotus has many usages in Thai culture. All parts of the plant can be used in a
household routine. There is no specific rule about picking sacred lotus. However, Thai people
cut only the amount they are going to use. This is not only applied to sacred lotus but the
entire flower cutting. The time for picking lotus is in the morning because the weather is not
too hot.
Sacred lotus can be picked in 3 periods. The first period is when the flower is budding. To
pick the flower, the lotus flower should be cut above the mud level. The second period is
when sacred lotus is blooming. In this period, the fully bloom lotus flower should be cut.
Stamen of the bloom flower can be used as a food ingredient, and its petal is used as a
cigarette wrapper. The third period is after the flower withered. the pod and seed of sacred
lotus became food. Moreover, other part of Lotus has many benefits. Rhizome and stolen are
edible ingredients. The stalk of lotus flower can be used as a gas lamp mantle. Additionally,
the leaf can be used to pack the cooked food or keep the flower fresh.
Lower stalk
Figure 2.5 Jasmine flower buds Figure 2.6 ready-to-use
Jasmine flowers
2.) Jasmine (Mali): Jasminum sambac Ait.
In Thai language, Jasmine is called Mali. Jasmine flowers have white color and easy to find
all over the years especially in the summer and rainy seasons. There are up to three Jasmine
flowers in the same branch (see Figure 2.5 for an example of a Jasmine branch). People
usually pick jasmine in the morning for its flower buds and in the evening for its full-bloom
27

28. flowers. Jasmine is picked by hands as an individual flower with a connected short stalk.
Lower stalk keeps the flower fresh. Later, the lower stalk will be taken off in the flower
preparation period. Removing the lower stalk will make the flowers bloom faster. Full-bloom
flowers are picked by hand in the same way.
Figure 2.7 picking Jasmine part explanation
3.) Damask rose (KularbMon): Rosa damascena Mill.
In Thai language, “Kularb” means rose, and “Mon” is refer to an ancient ethnic group in
Southeast Asia in 2-11th century. From its name, it can be infer that KularbMon is one
kind of roses that is originally related from an ancient ethnic group of Mon in the past.
Damask rose is valued by its scent and vivid color. Interestingly, picking the flowers of
damask rose can help their productivity of the plant. Usually it is advisable to pick in the
full-bloom period to get the best scent of damask rose. Damask rose grows as a shrub
with a slim stalk. It has different shades, ranging from pink to red. The first step of
picking damask rose is to cut the stalk off by scissors, about 2-3 inches from its flower.
This is believed to provide a chance for the plant to grow its flower again in a faster
manner.
The second step is to pick only the flower part without a stalk by hand. The stalk is
thrown away. Cutting and picking damask rose requires no time. However, damask rose
has sharp thorns, so the picker must be very careful of them. Damask rose is usually
prepared by splitting the petals of the flower apart and categorizing into different size.
See Figure2.8 for the pictures of common flowers that are used in Thai traditional floral
arts.
28

29. Figure 2.8 (above row from left): Damask rose, Ylang Ylang, Ixora, Marigold
(below row from left): Crown flower, Globe Amaranth, Bakul, Orchid
4.) Ylang-Ylang (Kradangnga): Annonaceae Cananga odorata
Kradannga is a Thai name for Ylan-ylang tree. Ylang-Ylang is a yellow color flower with
world-renowned gentle and calming scent. Thai people use Ylang-ylang in many
purposes including cooking dessert, and making floral arts. Ylang-Ylang Flower was
plucked individually by hand without the stalk.
5.) Ixora (Dok Khem): Ixora chinensis lamk.
Dok means flower, and Khem means needle in Thai language. This indicates the physical
characteristic of this type of flower. Specifically, the form of Ixora flower is like a needle.
It symbolizes the sharpness or witty. To pick the flowers, one can do simply by picking as
a whole bunch by hand.
6.) Marigold (Dao rueng): Tagetes erecta L.
Dao rueng in Thai language means growth and wealth. This flower can be plucked only
one flower individually by hand. If the flower is withered without picking out, the branch
will die and produce no more flowers.
7.) Crown flower (Dok rak): Calotropis gigantea
Dok means flower and Rak means love in Thai language. As a result, this flower is used
in the many auspicious ceremonies. It is easy to pick the whole bunch of Crown flower by
hand. However, one needs to be careful about the toxic liquid that might harm his/her
hand. The next process is drying the flowers by laying them under sunlight. After the
liquid is dried, the flower will be separated into two parts: inner part and outer part.
8.) Globe amaranth (Ban Mairooroey): Gomphrena globosa L.
In Thai language, Mairooroey means everlasting, and Ban means bloom. It is used in
many auspicious events to value the meaning of forever exist of fortunate, love, or
knowledge. To pick it up, Globe amaranth flower should be pluck by hand by keeping its
short stem underneath the flower.
9.) Bakul tree (Pikul): SAPOTACEAE Mimusops elengi
Pikul in Thai language only refers to Bakul tree.
29

30. The flower of Bakul tree diffuses its smell strongly at night. Its smell lasts even long after
the flower was picked or dried. This tree is commonly grown at a temple or public
garden. Bakul trees are so tall that people can only pick fallen flowers on their trees. It is
a belief that this flower is worth to be offered to divinity, mainly because it has very
sweet and pleasant scent.
10.) Tuberose (Sornklin): Polianthes tuberose Linn.
Sorn means hidden, and Klin means smell. The smell of Sornklin flower is diffusing at
night but no smell at all at noon. As a result, people named it Sornklin. To pick the
flower, the first step is to cut the flower bunch at the soil level after dawn. This flower’s
smell is diffusing, and the flower is usually used for a funeral. This way, tuberose is not
usually grown in a household but rather at a temple or Public Park.
11.) Orchid (Kluaymai): Orchidaceae Dendrobium hybrids
Kluaymai refers to orchid.
The first step to pick this flower is to cut the whole branch when the flower at the bottom
of the branch blooms. The flower at the tip will bloom after a while even it is cut. Orchid
stays fresh for longer period than other flowers.
12.) Cape Gardenia (putt): Gardenia jasminoides
Putt has the same pronunciation as Buddhism in Thai language. The flower buds can stay
fresh longer than the full-bloom one. However, the full bloom flower smell is stronger
than the flower bud.
1. Flower buds: Pluck by hand only the flower buds with small stem.
2. Full-bloom flower: Pluck by hand only the flower and connected small stem
13.) Pandanus (Lumjiak): Pandanus odoratissimus
To pick pandanus, one should take the whole branch of both flower and stalk.
14.) Yellow berry nightshade (Makhuer): Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl.
To pick pandanus, one should pick only its bloom flowers by hand, and avoid its thorns.
15.) Little yellow star (kradoomthong): Camchaya spinulifera H.Koyama
Kradoom means button and Thong means gold in Thai language
Figure 2.9 (From left) White Champaka, Orange Champaka, Frngipani
16.) White Champaka (Champi): MAGNOLIACEAE Michelia alba
30

31. Cham means remembering, and pi literally means year. There are two methods to pick
Champaka:1 picking only the medium bloom by hand and 2. picking the medium bloom
with connected stalk and a leaf.
17.) Orange Champaka: Michelia champaca
Cham means remembering, and pa means throwing away. Some people found the word
“throwing away” resembles throwing away of luck and happiness. They prefer to use the
Champi better than Champa. There are two methods of picking the flowers: 1. picking
only the medium bloom flowers by hand and 2. picking the medium bloom flowers with
connected stalk and one leaf.
18.) Frangipani (Lanthom): Plumeria acuminata Art.
Lanthom pronunciation is somewhat resembling Rathom that means melancholy.
Lanthom is not widely used because its inauspicious meaning. It was commonly grown
near cemetery. When picking this flower, one should be careful about white toxic liquid.
19.) Roselle (krachiap): MALVACEAE Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
To pick roselle, it should be done when the flower is at the full boom. After the flower
witheres, the left over is boiled and edible.
20.) Cowslip Creeper (kajorn): Telosma minor Craib
Kajorn means spreading in Thai language. It is also used to explain popularity as well.
People found this plant name is supporting their reputation and popularity. Picking young
buds in a whole branch by hand is a common method for picking this type of flower.
21.) Siamese Senna Cassod Tree (keelek): Cassia siamea (Lamk.)
For this type of flower, one should pick young buds by hand. Raw and fresh flower
contains toxic. However, it is edible after boiled.
22.) Vegetable Humming Bird (kae): Sesbania grandiflora L.
For this type of flower, one should pick young buds by hand. The yellow stamen is
reduced.
23.) Malay Apple (chompuu): Eugenia javanica Lam.
For this type of flower, one should pick only the stamen of the bloom flowers by hand.
24.) Sesbania (sano): Sesbania aculeata
For this type of flower, one should pick young buds in a whole branch by hand. People
also use Sesbania when it is in the middle bloom period to make Thai sweets.
25.) West Indian Jasmine (Soak): Polyalthia longifolia
Soak literally means grieve. For this type of flower, one should pick the bloom flower by
hand.
26.) Bougainvillea (Fuangfa): NYCTAGINACEAE Bougainvillea hybrid
Fuang means growth and Fa means sky. For this type of flower, one should cut the whole
branch of bloom flowers by scissors.
31

32. 27.) Coral Vine (Puang cmompoo): Antigonon leptopus Hook
Puang means a group of something and Chompoo means pink color. For this type of
flower, one should pick bloom flowers in the whole branch.
28.) Butterfly Pea (Anchan): PAPILIONOIDEAE Clitoria ternatea L.
For this type of flower, one should pick only the bloom flower by hand.
29.) Pumpkin (Fak thong): Cucurbita moschata Decne.
For this type of flower, one should pick the tips together with the young buds by hand.
30.) Tamarind (Ma Kham): Tamarindus indica L.
For this type of flower, one should pick the young bud together with young leaf without
the stalk.
31.) Red silk cotton (ngue): Bombax ceiba L.
For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom flower by hand.
32.) Water hyacinth (Paktopchawa) : Eichlornia crassipes Solms
Pak means vegetable and top means a kind of vegetable grows in water. Chawa, or Java,
means an area in Indonesia. For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom
flower.
33.) Chinese chive (Kuichai): Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng
For this type of flower, one should cut the buds with long stalk.
34.) Chinese Cabbage (Kwang tung) : Brassica pekinensis
For this type of flower, one should cut the whole branch of buds and medium bloom
flower together with the leaf.
35.) Shallot (Hom): Alliumcepa var. aggregatum
Hom means smell.
36.) Cauliflower (kalum): Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.
For this type of flower, one should cut the whole young bud.
37.) Corn (Khao pot): Zea mays Linn.
38.) Mango (Mamuang): Mangifera indica Linn.
39.) Water Lily ( Bua Puen) : Nymphaea stellata Wild.
Bua means lotus and Puen is a type name. Water lilly is considered one kind of lotus in
Thailand. However, the stalk is not strong like the sacred lotus. Therefore, it is not as
popular to use as a decoration flower, but rather a food ingredient. There are many colors
available, and it blooms during daytime. For this type of flower, one should pull the
whole flowers by and to get the whole stalk, usually in the morning.
40.) White Popinac (Kratin kao): leguminosae fabaceae
For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom branch of flowers.
41.) White Meranti (Payom): Shorea roxburghii G.
42.) Banana (Kluay): MUSACEAE Musa sapientum L.
32

33. For this type of flower, one should cut the whole bloom flower after the separate branch
of banana fruit is all taken and stop growing. (Linglaew): Asipidistra sutepensis
43.) Glalangal (Khar): Alpinia nigra B.L.Burtt
For this type of flower, one should cut the flower bud and the stalk together.
44.) Hog Plum (Makok): Spondias pinnata Kurz.
45.) Snow Creeper (Laddawan): Porana volubilis Burm. F.
46.) flowers from vegetable grows in rice field
For this type of flower, one should pick the tip of the vegetable together with the flower
buds.
47.) Smilax (Somsiew): Bauhinia malabarica Roxb.
48.) Cosmos (Dao krajai): Cosmos sulphureus Cav.
Dao means star and Krajai means scattering
49.) Snowy Orchid Tree (Kalong): Bauhinia acuminata Linn.
50.) Night Blooming Jasmine (kannika): NYCTANTHACEAE Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.
51.) Orange Jessamine (kaew): Murraya paniculata
Kaew mean glass in Thai language. For this type of flower, one should either 1) picking
by hand only the buds with small stem, or 2) picking by hand only the flower and
connected small stem.
52.) Eagle wood Agarwood flower (Kritsana): quilaria crassna Pierre.
53.) Sarapee: Mammea siamensis
For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom by hand.
54.) Chrysanthemum (Benjamart): Chromolaena odorata
For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom by hand.
55.) Chinese tinospora Scented star jasmine (wanchalee)
56.) Andaman satin wood (ta-suar): Aphanamixis polystachya
Ta means eye and suar means tiger.
57.) Four o`clock flower (Baanyen): NYCTAGINACEAE Mirabilis jalapa L.
Baan means bloom, and yen means evening. For this type of flower, one should pick the
full bloom flower by hand.
58.) Burma Conehead (Nang Yam): APOCYNACEAE Rauvolfia cambodiana
Nang means a word for calling a woman. And Yam means blossom.
59.) Safflower (Khamfoi): COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE) Carthamus tinctorius
For this type of flower, one should pick the full boom flower as a whole branch by hand
60.) Siamese randia flower (katkao)
For this type of flower, one should pick the full bloom flower by hand.
61.) False Daisy (kameng) Eclipta prostrate Linn.
There is no specific picking method for this type of flower.
33

34. We categorized each of the aforementioned 61 kinds of flowers to types according to
purposes: floral arts, medicine and food (see Figure 2.10). Only Sacred Lotus, Jasmine,
Damask Rose, Ylang-Ylang and Ixora have all of the three purposes. Interestingly, these
flowers are found to be relevant to various aspects of Thais’ way of life according to the
literature reviews in the previous units.
Figure 2.10 Flower types category
- 2.3 The floral arts (process and how to use)
There are several methods of floral arts employed by Thais. Here we reviewed two of the
most common ones: bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle and Thai traditional floral
Malai.
Common floral arts used in daily life are a flower-candle-incense stick, as well as a Thai
traditional floral, Malai.
34

35. Figure 2.11 Sacred Lotus as floral arts
2.3.1 A bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle
This type of floral art consists of flowers with a candle and three incense sticks. The flowers
that are commonly used in this type of floral arts are: (1) Sacred lotus and (11) Orchid and (6)
Marigold. Figure 2.11 shows how a bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle is made from
sacred lotus.
Figure 1.12 Making floral arts by using Sacred Lotus
Making this type of floral arts requires only short period of time, comparing to other types,
and minimal effort. Basically, arranging flowers for this type of floral art is just folding the
petals of sacred lotus buds. By doing this, the petals of lotus bud will be folded in the way the
flower will expend as if it is blooming as in figure 2.12. Perhaps the reason that people use
lotus buds is because it can stay fresh longer than the full bloom one.
Thai Buddhists often use three of lotus flowers in a bouquet of flower, incense stick and
candle to pay homage to the image of the Buddha. Perhaps the reason behind this behavior is
because three lotus blooms are offered for the three gems or Rattanatrai (Ounayakawit, 1972).
Beside lotus, orchid and marigold are sometimes found in the flower-incense-stick-candle
bouquet.
Orchid and marigold are as durable as sacred lotus. However unlike sacred lotus, these
flowers did not have long record in Thai traditional art. Also using orchid and marigold in a
35

36. bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle does not require special arranging skills as other
flowers. For orchid, people often bind its branch with Pandan leaves in the bouquet. However,
marigold is often used as the only flower in the bouquet.
Figure 2.12 Praying with flower-candle-incense
Scene of use: To start with, people hold a bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle in the
most respective manner by putting their hands together in a praying gesture. Then a candle is
lighted up in front of the altars, and the bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle should be
placed in front of the Buddhist altar at a temple as in figure 2.13. After that, the incense stick
should then be lighted up and hold in connecting hands during the time of which people
attentively pray a common short mantra. Some Thais also consider this action a way of
meditation.
Figure 2.14 Malai (Floral garland)
2.3.2 Malai (Floral garland) is widely used all over Thailand. Malai is the most common Thai
floral feature of Thai traditional floral arts (Intakul, 2009). Figure 2.14 shows a common
malai with jasmine, damask rose and crown flower. It is a rounded floral garland with two of
“uba”, or tassels (see Figure 2.15). Many types of flowers can be used in a combination to
make the round shape of the floral Malai and its components. Commonly used flowers
include Jasmine (2), Damask Rose (3), Crown Flower (7), Globe Amaranth (8), and Cape
Gardenia (12). Sometimes other flowers, including Sacred Lotus (1), Marigold (6), Crown
36

37. flower (9), Orchid (11), Little yellow star (15), White Champaka (16),and Orange Champaka
(17), are also used depending on availability.
Malai components
Figure2.15 show different parts of malai. Rounded part of malai usually consists of white tiny
flower sewn together. In advance type, it is also include other flower petals such as damask
rose as shown in Figure 2.14. Uba or tassel is a line of flowers usually has dok kha, kha
flower, at one end. Combining uba and rounded organized sewn flower make a simple
garland (malai). There is no rule of how many uba is needed, but at least 2 of uba is
commonly used. The more uba added, the more time and effort is needed. Therefore, malai
with many uba lines is considered more precious than malai with few uba. The floral artists
use their skill to sew all the components together. Furthermore, they do many advanced types
of malai based on these rule of components as well as available types of flowers at the time.
Making of malai
The making of malai process is obviously the women responsibility due to its delicacy.
However, the men role for preparing materials for malai cannot be ignored. In the past, there
is no thread from factory, so men and boys are responsible to make a thread from a plant’s
bark. Likewise, the coconut bark can be divided in long fiber line. It is used as a thread or
even replace needle in making floral arts. Nowadays, people completely replace the used of
plant barks with long needles and factory threads.
37

38. Figure 2.15 Parts of malai: combination
38

39. Process of floral arts (from the observation in a field survey session with Mrs.Wanna
Kluaymai N. Ayuthaya-Maneenuch on Aug 30th, 2011) shows how Malai is made from little
pieces of flowers as in Figure 2.16.
Figure 2.16 Process of making malai
39

40. Unlike a bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle, making Malai requires time, effort, and
skills. As a result, it is considered to be the most suitable form of floral arts for an offering to
divinity. Consequently, malai is often used in every Buddhist holiday and other important
moments, such as father days and mother days.
People often pick flowers with a beautiful-meaning name or preferable scent and combine
them into organized symmetry pattern. However, the rule for selecting flowers is not very
strict. Arrangers can decide according to condition and availability. Therefore available
flowers are regarded as the best choices of flowers in each period of the year.
Women members in a household are responsible for arranging Malai for daily usages, for
instance, as an offering to Buddhist altar and spirit house. Some households replace each
malai after the current one is dried up. However, malai often lasts quite long, perhaps due to
the usage of chemical fertilizer nowadays.
Flower types used in a traditional malai have been changed according to the ease of use. For
example, the Malai was used to comprise of Damask rose petals, but now orchid petals are
used instead. This is because orchid can last longer than Damask rose, and its thicker petals
are easier to be sewed together. Additionally, new designs of the Malai have been developed
according to arrangers’ preference and the market needs. The more complicated malai design
is, the more expensive it become.
People nowadays start to buy an artificial malai instead of a fresh one. Artificial flowers are
made of plastic or variety of color cloths. The use of this artificial malais has been reinforced
by the facts they last a lot longer.
From this, it can be seen that many changes have been found in the use of Malai. These all
influence how Thai people continue to use malai nowadays (Mrs.Wanna Kluaymai N.
Ayuthaya Maneenuch. Interviewed on Aug 30th, 2011).
Scene of using malai in everyday life
Malai generally is used in the same way as a bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle.
Mainly it is used in religious purposes, such as offer to Buddhist altar and spirit houses.
However, malai is also considered a gift for senior people, mainly for showing respect to
these people. From the interview, nonetheless, we found that those senior citizens who
40

41. receive a malai as a gift often reuse it as an offering to Buddhist altar and spirit houses.
Hence, the ultimate purpose for a malai is usually for religion.
Scene of using floral arts in everyday life
Above we summarized the use of a malai and a bouquet of flower, incense stick and candle.
Here we extend this to general use of floral arts in daily life.
Figure 2.17 Daily making merit
Three common usages of floral arts are (1) to offer to a Buddhist altar inside a house, (2) to
offer to guardian spirits at a spirit house, and (3) to offer to monks as part of alms giving
along with food and dessert in the morning (see Figure 2.17). Giving floral arts to monks is
often done in the morning when monks are wandering around a community to collect food
and donations. Alternatively, people also offer monks floral arts upon their visit at a temple.
Usually flowers are picked in the early morning, so the arrangement of these flowers is
usually done before noon. Then the head of the family take the responsibility to use floral arts
to pray toward divinity on the behalf of all family members. In other cases, female family
members can take responsibility instead of the head of the family when they are allowed.
Alternatively, all of the members might offer the flower together at the same time.
Thai people believe that by offering floral arts to a Buddha statue at home, they will be
blessed by the Buddha. These floral arts can be either malais, bouquets of flower, incense
stick and candle or both. Some Thais feel that this offering is a token of appreciation to the
Buddha for the teachings he gave to the world. This behavioral tendency is so strong for some
people that they cannot even start their day without praying at their home-based Buddha altar.
Essentially then, for these people, floral arts are used on daily basis.
The same belief can also apply to the usage of floral arts at a spirit house. Around a spirit
house, there is a small balcony where daily offerings of food, water, flowers, candles and
incense may be placed as offerings. There is a belief that routine offering to spirit house will
41

42. make the family member protect by the area god or spirits. Hence the offerings require
replacement of food everyday, but for new floral arts, they should be replaced every 3 or 4
days.
Not only on daily basis, but floral arts are also used extensively on special occasions. One day
before special events, family members, especially females, are often responsible for preparing
the flowers in the early morning and arrange the flowers together on the veranda of the house
(Interview with specialist 1 Mrs. Mintra Dinakara N. Ayuthaya, Interview session Aug
4,2011).
Figure 2.18 famous shrine in the center of
Bangkok
Besides using floral arts in Buddhist-related ceremonies, Thai people also implement floral
arts to worship divinity in other religions as well, such as Brahman god and goddess. Thai
people often go to a temple or a Brahman shrine to pray for fortune. Usually floral arts are an
integral part of this praying (see Figure 2.18).
By the way, this culture of using flowers for floral arts was common for every household
daily life. When they had not enough flower they can borrow or lend flower to neighbors
regularly without hesitation.
2.4 leftovers of flowers after the arrangement
It is considered wasteful to throw flowers away. Hence, Thais often find some methods to
utilize the leftovers of flower materials after the arrangement. This shows how much Thai
value flowers as precious natural resource.
42

43. Figure 2.19 "Kra-tae" a floral arts resembles a squirrel
2.4.1 Small flower work or toy for children
After finishing the floral arts, often people arrange the left-over fresh flower into animal
characters or small flower works for children. This provides another chance for novices to
practice their skill of arranging as well as creating a toy for children such as in Figure2.19.
This way, children might appreciate the value of flowers while enjoying their time with their
parents and family members.
2.4.2 Used to decorate food or drink
Figure 2.20 Damask rose
petals on dessert
Many flowers have desirable scent, and people take advantage of this scent for food and
drink. Specifically, they use leftovers from the floral arts for decorating dishes or flavored
drinking water. Some scents from flowers are believed to raise appetite when used to touch up
the top part of baked desserts. For example, Damask rose petals are often used for decorating
baked coconut milk dessert, Thaco (See figure2.20).
2.4.3 Making flower sachet
Leftovers of floral arts are often included in a flower sachet. A flower sachet is a combination
of dried floral arts and traditional fragrance from flower. In a sachet, dried flowers are used as
1) an absorbent of fragrance emitted from other flowers and 2) a provider of fragrance
themselves (Amatadecha, 2011).
43

44. Figure 2.21 “Bu-nga” in flower sachet
The floral arts that were touched by the King or royal families have to treat specially by keep
dry again in sunlight. Then spray the concentrated flower fragrance and put in the enclosed
container. This is called ”BU-NGA” means the dried flower with favorable fragrance smell.
Bu-nga is usually kept in flower sachet as in Figure2.21. (From the observation of interview
session of Mrs.Wanna Kluaymai N. Ayuthaya Maneenuch: on 08/04/2011)
2.4.4 Dried up flower that was used to worship divinity
The flower after used as an offering will be collected and dried by laying over the sunlight.
Later, it is grinded into powder and gives to Buddhist monks at temple. Monks will gathered
them together with the dried flower from special events at the temple as an ingredient of
talisman or sacred amulet making.
2.5 Flower medication
Flower in medication is widely used in Thai daily life from ancient time. Even though there
has no specific evidence of the origin, but the people in community learned from trial and
error. Many flowers are believed to have health healing benefit, for example, Sacred Lotus.
The lotus has many other uses than offering to divinity. It has medicinal values in its petals,
stamen and root. The seeds and the young leaves are delicious. The large tough leaf can be
used to wrap cooked food. (Ounayakawit, 1972)
Flower shows its benefits are not limited to beauty but also help preventing and curing
disease as one of Thai local wisdom.
2.6 Flower in food
Beside the beauty and medication benefit, flowers also increase the varieties of Thai cuisine
taste and texture. Thai cuisine is a very delicate art. Thai food requires various choices of
ingredients. Thai people use trial and error to adjust their food ingredient according to the
natural resource availability at the time.
44

45. The flowers that can be cooked for food can categorize into the part of the flower used. First,
the young flower buds that can be eaten with chili paste when boiled are: 20, 22, 23, 24, 29,
30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 45, and 46
Meanwhile, the fresh flowers that can be eaten raw with chili paste are: 6,39,47,48
Second, the medium bloom flowers that can be cooked as fritter fried dishes are: 19, 21, 22,
25, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 42, 43, and 48
Third, The full bloom flowers that can be cooked into soup cuisine are: 19, 21, 22, 25, 29, 30,
32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 42, 43, and 48
Fourth, the boiled flower that put in spicy salad dishes is: 20,23, 25, 40, and 41
the fresh raw flower that put in spicy salad dishes are: 42, 49
Fifth, the stir-fried flower buds dishes are: 10, 20, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37
Sixth, the flower drinks can use: 2, 3, 19, and 28
Seventh, the flower that is used to make food coloring is: 28
Lastly, the flowers that can be used to make dessert are: 2, 3, 14, and 28
Since Thai people spend a lot of time with food gathering and cooking, they are very
exquisite about food. Therefore, various food tastes, textures, as well as scents are available in
the same dishes. It shows how Thai people utilize available resources to create variation of
cuisine. Consequently, people try different ingredients due to availability instead of following
the strict rules of cuisine.
2.7 Thai traditional Fragrance from flower
Figure 2.22 "Nam-ob" Thai traditional perfume
2.7.1 Liquid perfume
Thai traditional liquid perfume (Nam-ob) is extracted from flowers together with other parts
of plant. Main component of fragrance comes from the extract of flowers such as Ylang-
ylang, Jasmine and rose see Figure 2.22 for image of liquid fragrance. Traditional fragrance
has main usage as a clothes or room fragrance. It can also be used as a body perfume
(Amatadecha, 2011). Thai people believe that flower fragrance can change the human
emotion, mostly in positive way. Therefore people love to grow the plant that provide flower
45

46. with fragrance in their garden. The smell of flower diffusing varies by the time and type of
the plant. (Thaithong, 1999)
Figure 2.23 "Din-so-pong" Thai traditional solid
perfume
2.7.2 Solid perfume
Din So Pong or Thai solid perfume is made from filtered white-powder soil. The first process
of making Din So Pong is boiling and filtering white soil repeatedly. After its powder
turnouts white and clean, it is then pressed into a drop shape. After that, powdered drop is
kept separately with diffusing-scent flowers, including Jasmine, Damask rose and Ylang
ylang, in the same enclosed area in a bowl. In this bowl, a scented candle is burning for a
night in order for the powder to have the scent of the flowers in the bowl. Solid fragrance is
either used as body powder or liquid fragrance by combining with other liquid for more long-
lasting scent. The scent of Thai traditional fragrance is cool, and Din So Pong is also used for
soothing itchy skin (Amatadecha, 2011).
2.8 The meanings of using flower in Thai daily life
2.8.1 Flower and family
2.8.1.1 Family activities
In ancient days, Thai people used to have elaborate way of life. They valued details of
activities and art works. Floral arts can be seen as an example of this way of life. People
spend significant time on activities related to flowers. Since flower has many usages in
household, daily life activity using flowers encourages family bonds.
In the old days, women and children were responsible for floral arts. They calculated the
amount of flowers they needed for floral arts and picked the flowers from gardens. It was
everyone’s concern not to be wasteful with flowers. Girls often followed their cousins, sisters,
mother or grandmother to the garden to prepare their own flowers. On the other hand, the
boys prepared long coconut stripe to use as a needle. Then everyone gathered around and
focused on their jobs. Beginners started with picking flower from gardens by following the
46

47. veterans. Veterans had a responsibility to teach beginners how to prepare each type of floral
arts. For example, beginners started by learning how to categorize jasmine by size and
ripeness, and how to split the rose into petal and float in water to avoid dehydration.
(Interview with specialist 1 Mrs. Mintra Dinakara N. Ayuthaya, Interview session Aug 20,
2011)
2.8.1.2 Flexible way of life due to flower availability
Basically, Thais’ rules about religion are very strict. However, when it comes to crafts or
lifestyle, Thai people spend enormous amount of time on their preference. Once people learn
basic processes, they might ignore some rules and create new forms or use different materials,
as they are comfortable with. Thai people are highly flexible at adapting to materials that are
available at that time. Sometimes overall forms might change or mix with other crafts they are
familiar with. Creativity then is another key feature of floral arts in Thailand.
2.8.1.3 Transmission of knowledge in a family
It is a habit of doing floral arts when other housework has done. Family members gather and
spend time together. There are variety of materials and special flowers used in some
households, and consequently, some families have their own style of floral arts. These family
habits have become customs of the family to carry on for the next generation. Even in the
same area, people practice variety of floral arts styles where they somehow keep the skill
secret to only family members.
While arranging flowers, people talk about traditional beliefs about living together with
nature. For example, every flower taken should be used up. The waste of flowers shows non-
respectful manner to nature. Hence after the main floral arts are finished, the extra flower
might end up as a decoration or toy for children or even a decoration for food as mentioned
earlier. Moreover, it is prohibited to sniff flowers. This is because the smell of fragrance is the
most value part that should be offered to divinity, not normal people. From this belief,
sniffing takes away the sacred of flowers.
2.8.1.4 Specific scent reflects good quality of life
Flower scent is important and has underlying meanings for Thai people life. Flowers with
desirable smell are recognized as the blessed ones. Gathering these flowers and combining
them systematically when arranging them can create sacred artworks. The scent from this
combination of commonly used flowers is regards as a representative scent of blessing by
divinity.
47

48. 2.8.1.5 Teaching each family member’s responsibility for their role
Floral arts are not just a hobby; rather they are viewed as a routine chore. All family members
have their own obligation. Each person’s job is integral to the whole process, and more
importantly it is a learning process. Children learn some of agricultural basic as they help
with growing flower plants. Then boys take care of preparing the string or thread made from
coconut or banana trunk while girls and woman spend most of their daytime arranging
flowers. Floral arts are, in fact, a more desirable obligation to Thai ladies than others, like
cooking. After the floral arts are done, a father or the leader of a household takes the
responsibility to offer to divinity or area god in order to receive the best wishes of natural
power.
2.8.2 Flower and community
2.8.2.1 Encouragement of networking in a community
Picking flower enhances communication in a community. It is a chance for people to step out
of their houses and communicate with others, who may pass by or also pick flowers. Flowers
have their own specific picking time to get the best of its preferable characteristic. This way it
is a great chance for people to gather at the public space at the same time of the day, and
therefore, inadvertently meet. Hence, flower gradually helps strengthen the community bond.
2.8.2.2 Flowers as an emotional symbol
Sometimes Thai people use flowers to non-verbally express their emotions. Different types of
flowers are associated with different types of emotions, ranging from affection, apology, to
sympathy. For instance, Crown flowers are often use as an expression of affection between
males and females. Similarly, floral arts in a form of malais are often used to express apology
to others. Likewise, to express sympathy, it is a common practice in Thai culture to use
marigold in a form of supporting malais (see Figure 3.5 for an illustration of a malai of this
type).
2.8.3 Flower and nature
2.8.3.1 Natural resource utilization
48

49. Figure 2.24 Utilize Damask Rose can results in faster and more amount of flower grows
Usually picking flowers may reflect killing plants, but for Thai people, they believe that
cutting flowers is a method to allow the next flower to grow. Some plants die soon after their
flowers bloom and wither. However, cutting their flowers help elongate these plants’ life.
Figure 2.24 illustrates how cutting flowers help extend the plant’s lifes, compared to natural
growth in the case of Damask rose. Similarly, Figure 2.25 shows the similar consequence in
Marigold case.
49

50. Nature value 2
Use ower = elongate the life of plant
let the ower
bloom and died
withering
die
cut the ower
utilize ower
Figure 2.25 Cutting Marigold flower can elongate the plant life
In addition, Thai people utilize flowers at the best according their stages of life. For instance,
some flowers are used as when budding and some at the full bloom period to suit with
different purposes. This show folk biology knowledge Thai people acquire by means of floral
arts.
2.8.4 Flower and religious belief (divinity))
It is a common belief among Thai people that spirits and gods have huge influence on their
agricultural products. By employing floral arts in spiritual activities, Thai people believe that
their harvest would be blessed by the nature and/or divinity. Hence, as part of their house
management routine, Thai women usually spend significant amount of their time on making
floral arts.
50