More photos from Ayutthaya, Thailand. For those who were confused about the saffron cloth in yesterday's photo, here's a more clear example of its use. Many of the Buddha figures I saw were clothed in similar cloth.
Tattered Covers
More photos from Ayutthaya, Thailand. For those who were confused about the saffron cloth in yesterday's photo, here's a more clear example of its use. Many of the Buddha figures I saw were clothed in similar cloth.
Saffron is the colour associated with the Buddhist monks and clothing
Jewlya: Your comment made me want to learn more, so I just finished reading about the robes and their symbolism.
It actually turns out that saffron robes are associated with Buddhist monks in some countries, but not by any means in all. In Japan, black and grey robes are more common and in China, brown and blue robes are more common. The common theme appears to be the idea of austere robes that represent detachment from the physical world. Even in Thailand, although saffron was the dominate color, I saw many older monks in ochre robes. I'm not sure the significance of the color for them, but it was beautiful to see. One of the other photographers here has a photo up of a young Buddhist boy in a very different robe (http://luisapuccini.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Rangoon_Shwedagon_Pagoda,_august_2007_/).
And I thought you were just using the statues as coat hangers
Great shot, the wall with patterns also had my attention for a few moments.
Jewlya: It sounds like for DrAW, the background was distracting. Did you feel the same? I picked this Buddha to shoot, over other options, because the background was so beautiful (to me). It didn't even occur to me that it might overwhelm the subject.
nice shot of the statue though the background fought against you
lol at louis comment
Jewlya: Fought against me? Hmm... One of the reasons I picked this shot over other options was because of the background. To me, it was as much a part of the shot as the foreground. Do you feel like it didn't work?
Despite being old Buddha icons in a place of ruins, these icons are still revered highly. There are a few times each year when they receive fresh clotes.
Saffron is the colour of Thai monks' apparel...although it can vary from canary yellow to dirty brown. In Myanmar and in Vietnam the monk's robes are a much deeper colour.
This Buddha icon is probably quite old, but has evidently had major repair work performed quite recently.
Another fine shot, Jewlya.
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