Nang Takian

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Offerings to Nang Takian: Lengths of brocade tied around the exposed roots of a Hopea odorata tree (ตะเคียน) growing on a steep slope.

Nang Takian (Thai: นางตะเคียน) or Phi Nang Takian is a female spirit of the folklore of Thailand. It manifests itself as a woman that haunts Hopea odorata trees. These are very large trees known as Takian (ตะเคียน) in Thai, hence her name.[1]

Legends

The Nang Takian belong to a type of spirits or fairies related to trees and known generically in Thai folklore as Nang Mai (นางไม้).[2] Legends in the Thai oral tradition say the spirit inhabits a Takian tree and sometimes appears as a beautiful young woman wearing traditional Thai attire.[3] It is generally a sylvan spirit, for the Takian is a tall forest tree not naturally found near inhabited areas. As it has a large trunk and a wide-spreading root system, it is not planted close to homesteads.[4]

In some parts of Thailand the spirit has become a popular tree deity.[5] Miracles are attributed to her power and trunks where lengths of colored silk are tied as an offering are an object of pilgrimage.[6]

The tree is almost never felled for lumber, since the spirit will be furious and follow the wood. About the only place takian is used as lumber is in a Buddhist monastery, where the merit of the monks is considered sufficient to render the spirit harmless.

Modern adaptations

This folk spirit is featured in the 2003 Thai film Takian ("The Haunted Tree"), with Sorapong Chatree [7] and 2010 movie Nang Takian ("Takien: The Haunted Tree").[8] Nang Takian has a role as well in the Nak animated movie.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nang Takian drawing
  2. ↑ Spirits
  3. ↑ Nang Takian image
  4. ↑ Takian tree base with lengths of brocade as Nang Takian offerings
  5. ↑ Nang Takian statue with offerings
  6. ↑ 9-year old asked Lady Takian for help (Thai)
  7. ↑ Takian ("The Haunted Tree")
  8. ↑ Nang Takian ("Takien: The Haunted Tree")

External links

Manifestations
By culture
History
Parapsychology and
popular culture
Category: Ghosts
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