Mae-seu’s Thai Puppet

Abstract

This research is aimed to study and creative imagination of the guardian spirit of a newborn baby (Mae-seu) according to the belief in Thai society from the picture book at national library and Pavilion of Mae-seu at Wat Phra Chetuphon to present the media in expressing the impressive creation of the Mae-seu puppet and creating a new motivation in studying the mystical knowledge. The research found that the belief in the creation of the Mae-seu’s Thai Puppet from respecting the Navagraha in Hindu which is meaning of stars in the universe and related to human life according to the beliefs of Thai people. Mae-seu is the presentation of the vehicles for the 7 deities. The role of the Mae-seu in the perception of Thai people can be divided into 2 groups: 1. Traditional groups as well as the villagers who focus on the Mae-seu as a ghost that gives a penalty on the baby's life, so there is a tradition of birth by using the symbol of the Mae-seu belong daily in the ceremony. 2. Traditional Thai medicine and philosopher whose are able to understand the meaning of the symbol of Mae-seu. For example, can use symbols to represent symptoms of disease in children with the appearance of Rahu called Lambong Rahu, etc. Mae-seu's role has been changed since the reign of King Rama III by the mural painting. At the present, the art of performing Mae-seu dance and Mae-seu puppet became a media that reflects a new perspective changed the role of the Mae-seu from ghost harassment to protect the baby by using beauty and aesthetics to be in accordance with the creator intended.