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The national emblem of Thailand ((タイ語:ตราแผ่นดินของไทย)) is called the ''Phra Khrut Pha'' (RTGS transcription; ; "Garuda as the vehicle" (of Vishnu)). The Garuda was officially adopted as the national emblem by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1911. However, the mythical creature had been used as a symbol of royalty in Thailand for centuries. The Garuda is depicted on seals, which are used by the King of Thailand and the Government of Thailand to authenticate official documents and as its primary emblem. The Garuda is a mythological beast of the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. According to Hindu mythology, the Garuda is the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu (more commonly known in Thailand as Narayana). The ancient kings of Thailand believed in divine kingship, and considered themselves the incarnation of the god Narayana. Thus, the Garuda came to symbolise the divine power and authority of the king. The Garuda also features in the national emblem of Indonesia and the emblem of the city of Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia). == Symbolism == (詳細はbirdlike mythological beast of the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. According to mythology, the Garuda is a large hybrid half-man and half-bird creature. The Garuda is often depicted in art as having the head, beak, wings and talons of an eagle, while his torso is like that of a human man.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 22〕 In the book ''Traiphum Phra Ruang'', a Thai Buddhist literary work composed in the 14th century, he is described as having a body that was 150 yojanas across (1 yojana equivalent to 16 kilometres), his left and right wings 150 yojanas each, his tail 60 yojanas long, his neck 30 yojanas, his beak 90 yojanas and his talons 12 yojanas each.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 27〕 The Garuda's physical strength and martial prowess is recounted in the Sanskrit Puranas.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 35〕 In these stories he is described as the most powerful of all the winged-creatures and as such is regarded as the king of all the birds.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 25〕 In Buddhist literature, the Garuda lives in the legendary Himavanta forest and is regarded as semi-divine or supernatural.〔 In the Buddhist tradition the emphasis is put on the Garuda's deeds, which portray him as a righteous and merciful being.〔 According to the Mahabharata, the Garuda was so powerful that no god could defeat him in battle, eventually the Hindu god Vishnu intervened. Impressed with his abilities, Vishnu made the Garuda immortal and promised him a higher seat than that of his own. Henceforth, the Garuda became the 'vahana' or vehicle of Vishnu and was allowed to sit atop the god's flagpole as a reward.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, pp. 37-38〕 The Garuda's relationship with Vishnu or Narayana is especially significant. The doctrine of ancient Thai kingship was heavily influenced by those of India. Accordingly, the king was nothing less than an 'avatar' or incarnation of god, just as King Rama of the epic Ramayana was the incarnation of Narayana. Thus, the god Narayana and the Garuda became the accepted symbol of divine and sacred kingship in ancient Thailand.〔Prime Minister's Office 2000, p. 52〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Emblem of Thailand」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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