A Tai Lue style temple behind Muang Sing Guesthouse & the Tribal Museum:
'Layer' of 'windows' separating the upper three & bottom two layers of the green roof (below left) is something the cat has never noticed before in temple roofs. It would later realise the dramatic effect that they have on the interior.
Ridge of roof has the simplest 'yort4 sor faa4' (lit. ยอด summit ช่อ bouquet ฟ้า heaven aka. dok sor faa & yort chor faa) the cat would come across in North Lao (above right). Most other temples the cat saw had 7 to 17 of the 'projections', all squarish, like this & this. Wat Sing Jai's version reminds the cat of Khmer prangs, which also symbolise Mount Meru.
The pointed tongue-shaped piece of wood carving attached to the apex of the gable (above, upper left) directly below the chor faa (roof finial) is another feature new to the cat. It has seen a cross-shaped version called kalae กาแล on the roofs of traditional Thai houses though.
Plain whitewashed walls on the outside, & windows & doors decorated with white stencilled designs instead of the usual gold:
Behind tiny doors (above right) just tall enough for the cat to walk through without having to stoop:
Bright firecracker-red pillars, each with a large rectangular mirror hanging from it at an angle (what do they mean? what are they for?) & Tai Lue thoong2 (banners) hanging from the crossbeams above:
The 'windows' between the upper & lower layers of the roof transform what could have been a typical dark & musty temple interior into a bright & airy space:
A different style of Buddha images with painted eyebrows & red 'lipstick':
Totally wrapped up from neck down, again something new to the cat...
‘Those before us’ – women in books I recommend
-
This is a book list with a feminine perspective/experience which I’ve read
since 2020. I’d recommend it anyone really, but often suggest it to
undergrads w...
2 months ago
No comments:
Post a Comment