Iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand

Statue of "the Buddha calling the earth to witness (Maravijaya Attitude)," one of the most common depictions. The Buddha's hands are in the bhūmisparśa mudrā (Earth-touching position). Haw Phra Kaew temple, Viang Chan, Laos

The iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand recall specific episodes during his travels and teachings that are familiar to the Buddhists according to an iconography with specific rules. The Buddha is always represented with certain physical attributes, and in specified dress and specified poses. Each pose, and particularly the position and gestures of the Buddha's hands, has a defined meaning which is familiar to Buddhists. In other Buddhist countries, different but related iconography is used, for example the mudras in Indian art. Certain ones of these are considered particularly auspicious for those born on particular days of the week.[1]

  1. ^ "Thai birth day colors and Buddha image". Archived from the original on 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2009-06-30.