Naga

Wat Huai Hin Haeb Temple, Bueng Khong Long District, Bueng Kan Province.

The Nāga is a powerful mythical serpent often associated with water, protection, and the underworld. Deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, Nāgas are believed to be guardian spirits of temples and sacred sites. They are frequently depicted flanking stairways of temples or forming a halo behind revered Buddha images—symbolizing their role as protectors of the Dharma. One of the most iconic representations is Phra Nak Prok, where the Buddha is shown meditating while being sheltered by the multi-headed Nāga king, Mucalinda, during a storm. In Thai culture, Nāgas are not only spiritual beings but are also seen as symbols of fertility, strength, and cosmic balance, deeply woven into both mythology and ritual practice.