Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella
Encyclopedia
The Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella or Nopphapadon Mahasawettachat (Thai
: นพปฎลมหาเศวตฉัตร) or literally the royal nine-tiered white umbrella, is part of the Royal Regalia of the King of Thailand. Once considered the most important symbols of Kingship, with time the umbrella became less prominent. Currently there are seven, distributed above various Thrones, in the Grand Palace in Bangkok
.
In ancient times the Umbrella was seen as the most important symbol of Kingship, the umbrella is usually situated over the King's throne, bed and over his funeral urn. During the reign of King Mongkut
(or Rama IV) the King replaced the umbrella made of leaves to one made of white silk. The multi-tiered umbrella represented the many levels of heaven in accordance with Buddhist and Hindu
mythology. It ancient times the Kings had a six-tiered umbrella reflecting the six levels of heaven
. Later the umbrella was changed to nine-tiers; this represented the eight points of the compass; symbolising the King as the conqueror of eight directions. With the final of ninth-tier representing the burden the King faces as a monarch.
The seven Royal Nine-tiered Umbrellas are situated in the following places:
Thai alphabet
Thai script , is used to write the Thai language and other, minority, languages in Thailand. It has forty-four consonants , fifteen vowel symbols that combine into at least twenty-eight vowel forms, and four tone marks ....
: นพปฎลมหาเศวตฉัตร) or literally the royal nine-tiered white umbrella, is part of the Royal Regalia of the King of Thailand. Once considered the most important symbols of Kingship, with time the umbrella became less prominent. Currently there are seven, distributed above various Thrones, in the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
In ancient times the Umbrella was seen as the most important symbol of Kingship, the umbrella is usually situated over the King's throne, bed and over his funeral urn. During the reign of King Mongkut
Mongkut
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868...
(or Rama IV) the King replaced the umbrella made of leaves to one made of white silk. The multi-tiered umbrella represented the many levels of heaven in accordance with Buddhist and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
mythology. It ancient times the Kings had a six-tiered umbrella reflecting the six levels of heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
. Later the umbrella was changed to nine-tiers; this represented the eight points of the compass; symbolising the King as the conqueror of eight directions. With the final of ninth-tier representing the burden the King faces as a monarch.
The seven Royal Nine-tiered Umbrellas are situated in the following places:
- The Chakri Mahaprasat Hall
- The Dusit Mahaprasat Hall
- The Amarin Winichai Hall
- The Paisan Thaksin Hall
- The Chakrapad Phiman Hall, all in the Grand Palace.
- The Ananda Samakhom Throne HallAnanda Samakhom Throne HallThe Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It now serves as a museum and is from time to time employed for certain state occasions....
, within the vicinity of Dusit Palace.