The Colors of Faith: Beliefs on colors in Thai Culture
Has anyone ever walked past a tree and noticed colorful cloth tied around it? Or maybe sit in a car or boat and see colorful clothes at the bow of a boat? In Thailand, we commonly refer to these as “Pha Sam See” (the three-colored cloth)!
What do you think the act of tying colorful clothes in various places means to Thai people? Take a guess.Is it done for decoration or aesthetic purposes?
Well, let me tell you right now—it’s not related to celebrating Pride at all!
Could it be part of a ritual? A belief? That’s right! These clothes are tied to signify respect and reverence for sacred spirits believed to reside in those objects or places. Sounds supernatural, doesn’t it? But don’t be scared—there’s nothing to fear. Let’s explore this fascinating tradition together!
The belief in tying the three-colored cloth (Pha Sam See) actually originates from India. In ancient times, Indians, particularly followers of Brahmanism, widely embraced mystical beliefs. They believed that natural elements, such as large trees, rivers, mountains, the sun, and the moon, were all inhabited by sacred entities. Furthermore, it was believed that all these elements were created by the gods. If humans disrespected or caused harm to these elements, the gods would destroy them, leading to calamities. To show respect and reverence to these sacred entities and deities, people performed rituals and offerings. For example, they worshiped tree deities to demonstrate respect and devotion to the gods residing in the tree. The method of showing reverence was to wrap a piece of silk or fabric around the tree and offer prayers. This practice was believed to invoke blessings from the gods, bringing prosperity, happiness, and protection to the surrounding area.
Why does it have to be cloth? How does cloth symbolize respect?
In the past, cloth was considered a rare and valuable item. To obtain a single piece of fabric required a great deal of perseverance and time, as every steps in the process had to be done by hand. Imagine a time without weaving or sewing machines—creating cloth would have been a long and labor-intensive task! Because of this, cloth was often given as a gift to family, loved ones, respected individuals, or sacred entities. Additionally, silk cloth was an item that vassal states were required to offer as tribute to more powerful kingdoms. Cloth thus became a symbol of love and reverence.
Tying cloth to something one respects is a way of expressing love and worship, acknowledging the revered or sacred nature of the object as something that can bring good fortune, health, and other blessings into one’s life.
Another reason for tying three-colored cloth to trees, aside from showing respect, is to prevent people or officials from cutting down large or sacred trees. When someone sees a tree with cloth tied around it, they are usually reluctant to cut it down. Even if they must, elaborate rituals are required beforehand. This practice has also become a form of conservation, protecting trees from being unnecessarily cut down.
Moreover, the belief in the three-colored cloth isn’t limited to trees. People also apply it to various objects and vehicles. Have you ever ridden in a taxi or tuk-tuk and noticed colorful clothes tied to the rearview mirror? Or perhaps taken a long-tail boat and seen colorful clothes tied to the bow?
Have you ever walked past a spirit house and seen three-colored cloths wrapped around it? That’s the same belief in action. Vehicle owners, boat owners, and spirit house caretakers tie these cloths as a gesture of love and respect toward the sacred entities believed to reside in those objects. They do this in hopes that the sacred power will protect their homes, ensure safe travels, attracting prosperity and draw customers.
The cloths tied around spirit houses, though commonly referred to as Pha Sam See (three-colored cloth), are not limited to just three colors. In some places, or with certain trees, you might find cloths with more than three colors. Additionally, the colors used can vary by location. However, the most commonly seen colors align with traditional beliefs and practices associated with worshiping sacred entities. These are typically categorized into three, seven, or nine colors.
If there are three colors, they are red, yellow, and white—derived from the Hindu tradition of “Vat Savitri Puja.” This ritual involves married women wrapping colored threads around a banyan tree 108 times to pray for their husbands’ good health and long life.
How about seven colors in a row? They represent the seven days of the week, each associated with a guardian deity and a corresponding color:
Sunday : Red
Monday : Yellow
Tuesday : Pink
Wednesday : Green
Thursday : Orange
Friday : Blue
Saturday : Purple
Some ancient beliefs, however, hold that there are not just seven guardian deities but nine. In this case, two additional colors are added:
- “ Phra Rahu ” : Bronze (or dark metallic, sometimes black, in Thai culture)
- “ Phra Ketu ” : Gold
These two additional deities are mentioned in Brahmanical scriptures, expanding the traditional practice to include nine colors.
Actually, there are no fixed rules or specific meanings for choosing the colors of the cloth. People often select colors they personally like or those associated with their birth day. However, the most commonly seen and popular colors are yellow, green, red, and pink.
Darker tones, such as black and gray, are rarely used, as they are considered inauspicious. Lighter and brighter colors are preferred because they are more visible and easier to notice.
Various colored cloths are sold in Little India or “Pahurat” in Bangkok old town
The Deep Connections of Color Beliefs in Thai Culture
It is clear that the belief in cloth and colors has been deeply rooted in Thai culture for a long time, from the past to the present. Did you know that the traditional belief in the three-colored, seven-colored, or nine-colored cloths we previously discussed—where people tied colored cloths to trees based on their birthdays and the week for good fortune—has evolved in modern times? Yes, you heard that right! But instead of tying colored cloths to objects, people now incorporate those colors into their clothing. This belief is known as the “lucky shirt colors based on the days of the week.”
People believe that wearing clothing in the colors associated with the guardian deity of each day will enhance positive energy for that day. There are even specific meanings tied to different colors for each day. For example:
Monday: Wearing yellow or white can help build good relationships, increase authority, and boost credibility. Wearing purple may even bring luck, such as winning the lottery, as purple is believed to attract wealth and fortune on Mondays. However, wearing red may hinder your efforts, as red is considered an unlucky color for Mondays.
This practice reflects how traditional beliefs have adapted to fit modern lifestyles. Nowadays, it has also been incorporated into marketing strategies!
In the end, tying colored cloth to trees is a personal belief. We can never truly know if there are sacred entities residing in those trees, but it’s best not to show disrespect. However, you don’t need to be afraid to approach them. Feel free to walk up, take photos, and even take a selfie as usual. You can also try offering a prayer or asking for a blessing if you’d like!
"Share this with your friends and family for a little good fortune in their day ahead!"
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