[oraltyrap]

=) Ya, perhaps Nan Kwat evolved from Lakshmi, cos the link provided by Surawut seems to imply that Nan Kwat has its origins in early Hindu influences :-)

[oraltyrap]

=) Thanks Megy! I can't read Thai (though will certainly love to be able to); I click on the English translation button

I

[andrekuper]

Sounds pretty much like Goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism - same purpose.

[OixKKcj1]

I'm not sure if you can read Thai, Peiyan.. but if you can, here's a wiki page about Nang Kwak.

[domeffire]

=) Hi all,

Many a times, many of us (I guess) have walked past shrines devoted to Nan Kuat at the many shops in Thailand - Goddess of Wealth holding a bag of rice?money? in either her left or right hand, and the other hand (sometimes both) beckoning something/someone (wealth or business I suppose) to her/the devotee.

To me, it has become such a common sight in Thailand that I cannot help wondering the origins of Nan Kuat. I have tried sourcing for it online but got little info, if any. Do any of the local Thais know the legend behind Nan Kuat? Is she a queen from a past dynasty?

One version I heard (surprisingly in my country), which was told to my mother who in turn related it to me, was that she was supposed to be a queen/king's concubine in one of Thailand's dynasties and she used to give out rice to the poor and did many other charitable acts (thus the symbolic drawstring bag in her hand). But I could not be sure if that is indeed what is known about her in Thailand. Does anyone know anything about her? =)

Do you mean Nang Kwak ¹Ò§¡ÇÑ¡ who beckons for wealth and prosperity to enter.

http://i7.tinypic.com/6az0few.jpg

http://www.thai-amulets.com/nang_kwak.htm

[oraltyrap]

=) Hi all,

Many a times, many of us (I guess) have walked past shrines devoted to Nan Kuat at the many shops in Thailand - Goddess of Wealth holding a bag of rice?money? in either her left or right hand, and the other hand (sometimes both) beckoning something/someone (wealth or business I suppose) to her/the devotee.

To me, it has become such a common sight in Thailand that I cannot help wondering the origins of Nan Kuat. I have tried sourcing for it online but got little info, if any. Do any of the local Thais know the legend behind Nan Kuat? Is she a queen from a past dynasty?

One version I heard (surprisingly in my country), which was told to my mother who in turn related it to me, was that she was supposed to be a queen/king's concubine in one of Thailand's dynasties and she used to give out rice to the poor and did many other charitable acts (thus the symbolic drawstring bag in her hand). But I could not be sure if that is indeed what is known about her in Thailand. Does anyone know anything about her? =)

[Poohoppesmase]

=) Thanks Megy! I can't read Thai (though will certainly love to be able to); I click on the English translation button

I

Here's the English language Wikipedia entry;

Nang Kwak