Thai Heritage Conservation Day - Thai Massage

วันอนุรักษ์มรดกไทย - นวดไทย

2021/2564-04-02

Annual commemorative stamps for the Thai Heritage Conservation Day in honour of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as well as to publicize Thai Massage, a form of body manipulation that alleviates pain through the release of tension in the muscles. It is a quintessential Thai art that does not only use internal medicine but also redresses the balance of energy in the body. Since 2019, Thai Massage has been recognized by UNESCO to be an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is Thailand's second award following the recognition of Khon, Thai classical dance theater, in 2018.

2021/15-18

3 Baht per design

3 Baht per design

12 Baht (unused), 4 Baht (used)

n/a

30 x 48 mm

400,000 pieces

Thai British Security Printing Public Company Limited, Thailand

A collection of drawings depicting hermits, known in Thai as reusi, in different yogi positions, that originate from a book that describes 80 different yogi poses by hermits and which was published in 1838, during the reign of King Rama III. These hermit exercises, found in the manuscript commissioned by King Rama III, serve as the basis for traditional Thai medical knowledge as found inscribed in texts at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaraam, i.e. Wat Poh in Bangkok, which is the oldest and was once the largest temple in the capital, as well as its first educational centre and an important training centre for traditional massage (fig.) and reflexology (fig.). The various hermit poses depict exercises that were particularly employed after prolonged meditation sessions to alleviate strains on the body. The origins of hermit yogi poses can be traced back to the era of King Rama I. This is evident not only in ancient medical recipes but also in a collection of hermit sculptures (fig.) found in Wat Poh and which in the past were used as didactic material. These hermits (fig.) in various poses are found in a section of the temple garden and represent various exercises that promote physical health (fig.), akin to similar statues of reusi at Wat Bang Peng Tai (fig.). People were encouraged to study these yoga stretches as a means to combat illness and enhance overall health. Later on, King Rama III, alongside a Royal Scholar, composed a set of poems to provide instructions and acknowledge the beneficial qualities of these poses. The postage stamps feature: 1. relief of bodily discomfort; 2. relief of plantar pain; 3. relief of muscle cramp; and 4. relief of distention of abdominal swelling caused by fluid being trapped in the scrotum.

massage, yogi, reusi, Rama III, Rama I, Wat Phra Chetuphon, Wat Poh, Bangkok, Wat Bang Peng Tai