Glossary of Northern Thai Temple Terms, Chiang Mai

This glossary of Northern Thai temple terms list down words used in this website and its description in English. Refer also to the page on Northern Thailand Temple Architecture.

Arannavasi: a sect of Buddhism that excludes itself from the daily life of the community, preferring a life of isolation and meditation in a forest temple.
Chedi: stupa. This is the pagoda-like structure used to .
Garuda: mystical bird, found in the design of the roof ridge finial.
Ho trai: manuscript repository
Kuti: monks' living quarters. These are usually one-roomed buildings.
Makara: mystical water beast. The makara is often shown disgorging the naga, appearing in the design of the nak sadung.
Mondop: square pavilion with multi-tiered pyramidal roof.
Naga: serpent or dragon, in Thai temple design.
Nak kieo: coiled naga, as appearing in the eave-brackets.
Nak sadung: undulating naga balustrade.
Pa: forest. Temples built in the forest usually have the word Pa in their name, i.e. Wat Pa Sak. A forest temple has to be about 500 bow-lengths from a settlement. That's about one kilometer.
Pan lom: bargeboard which covers the end of the gable. This is made to shape like a naga.
Phra Phutthabat: stylised footprint of the Buddha, usually carved in stone and enclosed with railing or sheltered.
Phra rabieng: cloister. This is the sheltered corridor which are often lined with Buddha images.
Putthawat: sacred enclosure. This is the compound upon going through the main entrance of the temple.
Sanghawat: Non-sacred part of the wat that includes the living quarters of the monks.
Singh: lion. This is the mystical lion that stands guard at the entrance of temples and temple halls. The singh in Northern Thai temples are similar to the Burmese style.
Wat: Thai temple or monastery. The term wat denotes a Thai Buddhist religious complex. It could be places of worship or monastery.

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Glossary of Northern Thai temple terms