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TRADITIONS & UTENSILS

 

 

 

  Chuchaka charms

 

Thailand

Since the bodhisattva, i.e. the Buddha-to-be in his former incarnation as Prince Wetsandorn, granted the brahmin Jujaka, referred to in Thai as Chuchaka, his wishes, small statues of this old man, usually represented with a beard, long hair tied into a topknot, a walking stick and carrying a bag over his shoulder, are used as charms.

 

 

 

  Chuchaka charms

 

He is even prayed to, addressed as Chuchakoh, i.e. the Pali version of his name, in order to attract good fortune. Besides his actual white robes, his statue is available in different colours according to the sih prajam wan system (fig.), with gold as extra colour for those who do not know the day of their birth, while the gold colour, like that of the bag, in general refers to richness, and the wish to attract it.