Emblem of Thailand

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(Redirected from Coat of arms of Thailand)

Garuda as the national symbol of Thailand

The National Emblem (National Symbol) of Thailand features the Garuda, a figure from both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In Thailand, this figure is used as a symbol of the royal family. This version of the figure is referred to as Krut Pha, meaning "garuḍa acting as the vehicle (of Vishnu)."

The Garuda also features in the coat of arms of Indonesia and as symbol of the city of Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar. This insignia is similar to the Indonesian in the respect, that the insignia does not feature a heraldic shield.

In 1873, King Chulalongkorn ordered to create coat of arms of Siam. Twenty years later, he thought the coat of arms was too westernized and he also remembered that kings of Ayutthaya Kingdom had used Garuda as symbol of their power and authority.

To accomplish his thought, he ordered Prince Naris to make new emblem in place of coat of arms. At first, Naris had drawn image of Garuda catching Naga and bearing Vishnu in circle for the emblem. After its very short time usage, the king suggested Naris to remove Vishnu and Naga. This emblem is still in use today.

After Chulalongkorn's reign, King Vajiravudh ordered Phra Dhevabhinimit (Thai: พระเทวาภินิมมิต) to create new emblem. The new one is featured Chulalongkorn's emblem, but encircle it to create outer rim, which contains current royal name. Upon coronation, it is required to change new royal emblem in correspond to the name of new king. Later, King Ananda Mahidol succeded King Prajadhipok, but he was not coronated, so his new emblem cannot be created and Chulalongkorn's emblem is used instead.

Today, Garuda without circle around it is used as authority emblem. It is printed atop the official documents and letters. Also, sculpture of Garuda is given by king to reliable enterprises as they requested to royal office.

Old Thai royal emblem, which featured Garuda, Naga and Lord Vishnu. It is used as royal emblem before coat of arms of Siam.

Thai royal emblem. Created by Prince Naris for replacing coat of arms. It was used for a short period.

Center part of current Thai royal emblem. Be aware that the actual emblem has a name of current king around the emblem.

Former coat of arms of Siam in 1873-1910, used as the cap-badge of Royal Thai Police and the symbol of CRMA today.

Thailand used to have a national emblem in the heraldic style from 1873-1910. It was created during the reign of King Chulalongkorn the Great by HSH Prince Pravij Jumsai.

On the top of the coat of arms is the Great Victory Crown of Thailand (th: พระมหาพิชัยมงกุฎ), the most important royal regalia and the symbol of kingship. Under the crown is the symbol of the Royal House of Chakri, the King's royal family, which is a disc intersected with a trident. The royal seven-tiered umbrellas of state are also present on either side of the crown. To both sides of the coat of arms are the other regalia, the royal sword (th: พระแสงขรรค์ชัยศรี) and the royal baton (th: ธารพระกร). In the background is the draped robe - either the Royal robe of the King or the robe of the Order of Chulachomklao. The supporters are two mythical creatures, one is the Royal Lion, rajasiha, and the other is Elephant Lion, gajasiha.

The shield itself is partitioned into three parts. On the top of the shield, it is signifying the Thai part of the Kingdom (northern, southern and central Siam) by the three-headed elephant "Erawan" in yellow background. In the lower-left field, the Laotian suzerainty is showed by another white elephant in red background (this symbol comes for its native name "Lan Xang", land of the million elephants.) The lower-right field in pink shows the crossed kris for its Malay suzerainty.

There are two chains under the Arms, a necklace of the Order of the Nine Gems (meaning the Buddhism) and the Order of Chulachomklao one. The ribbon under the Arms is inscribed with the motto in Pali language which write in thai script "สพฺเพสํ สงฺฆภูตานํ สามคฺคี วุฑฺฒิ สาธิกา" (Romanization: "Sabbesam Sanghabhutānam Sāmaggī Vuḍḍhi Sādhiga.") This motto may be translated as "Unity brings happiness".