Religious statues around the world

[NightBazaar]

Originally Posted by mateo45

I think I've also seen where the Emerald has a lot of symbolism in asian iconography. For example it symbolizes the heart chakra, it's also one of the "seven precious substances of Buddhism", and is often associated with the Hindu god Garuda (who's of course very popular in Thailand).

I'm not so sure that explains why the word "emerald" is used to describe the Buddha image at Wat Phra Keow as "Emerald Buddha". Emerald is a western word, not a Thai word. As stated, "keow" simply means "green", and of course the image is rather pale green. But it isn't emerald green. The Thai word for "emerald" is "monkhat".

My guess, and it's certainly nothing more than a guess, is that the statue had been seen (maybe for the first time ever) at some time in the distant past by a westerner (European or American) who mistakenly described it as emerald, and the western word has stuck ever since. Could've been a translation error or even a visual error in seeing it.

[xeric]

Originally Posted by Antlered Chamataka

Oh, MC, so, what exactly is so special about Buddhism? Same wolf, different skin.

A catholic fool is fooled once.

But an imbecile is the advanced form of the fool, though it's in French for added effect. Imbeciles in the West reject the religion of their parents with a passion. Fooled once. And they embrace the bellies of the East. Fooled twice. A one time fool can be forgiven. But an imbecile??

Sad!

Of course, nobody should reject the religion of their ancestors. Except, apparently Indian Catholics.

[uscdude]

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[Katzpur]