Thai Birthday Buddha: Find the Buddha and Colour of Your Birth Day
In Thailand many people pay respect to the Buddha image of the weekday they were born on, known as the birthday Buddha (phra pracham wan koet). Wednesday is split into day and night, so there are eight images in all.
Many temples line the eight images up by weekday, and visitors offer flowers, incense and merit at their own. Enter your birthday to find yours and its colour.
The eight birthday Buddhas
Sunday
Gazing at the Bodhi Tree Pang Thawai Net
Standing, hands crossed in front. After his enlightenment the Buddha is said to have stood gazing at the Bodhi tree for seven days, in gratitude for its shade.
Colour: Red
Monday
Pacifying the Relatives Pang Ham Yat
Standing with the right hand raised, palm outward. The Buddha is said to have stopped the Sakya and Koliya clans from going to war over river water.
Colour: Yellow
Tuesday
Reclining Buddha Pang Saiyat
Lying on the right side with the head resting on the hand: the Buddha’s last moments before passing into Nirvana.
Colour: Pink
Wednesday (day)
Holding the Alms Bowl Pang Um Bat
Standing, holding the alms bowl with both hands, as on the morning alms round.
Colour: Green
Wednesday (night)
Pa Lelai Pang Pa Lelai
Seated on a rock with both feet down. Living alone in the Parileyyaka forest during a rains retreat, the Buddha was cared for by an elephant that brought water and a monkey that offered honey.
Colour: Dark shades (grey or black); traditions vary
Thursday
Meditation Pang Samadhi
Seated cross-legged, hands resting in the lap: the meditation under the Bodhi tree that led to enlightenment.
Colour: Orange
Friday
Contemplation Pang Ram Pueng
Standing, arms crossed over the chest, reflecting after the enlightenment on how deep the teaching is and whether people could grasp it.
Colour: Light blue
Saturday
Sheltered by the Naga Pang Nak Prok
Seated in meditation while the seven-headed serpent king Mucalinda spreads his hoods to shelter the Buddha from wind and rain.
Colour: Purple
How your birth day is counted
Thai tradition starts the day at sunrise, usually taken as 6 am: anyone born between midnight and 6 am counts as born on the previous day.
Wednesday has two Buddhas: born between 6 am and 6 pm on a Wednesday is Wednesday (day); born between 6 pm on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday is Wednesday (night).
Temples and astrologers differ in the details. If you do not know your time of birth, simply use the weekday on the calendar.
Birthday Buddhas and amulets
Many Thais keep a small image or amulet of their birthday Buddha with them as an everyday sign of respect. When choosing one, check that the posture matches your birth day.
Fortune and astrology content follows folk tradition and is for cultural interest only.