temple in 12th century. The representation of
cho fah is unclear and believed to represent garuda, however, the present research indicates that the original
chofah upon which most subsequent
chofah have been based is the
gajashimha of
Suryavarman II, the
Khmer king who built
Angkor Wat. Temple finials representing gajashimha was presumably appeared in
Cambodia during or shortly after his reign (1113 AD to 1150 AD). These finials (chofah) symbolized the unification of the northern and southern Khmer kingdoms and the reign of King Suryavarman II. This symbolism spread extensively throughout the region including part of today
Laos,
Lanna, and
Isan which were once the
Khmer empire. From 13th to 18th century, ceramic finials or chofah in the form of the gajashimha were largely produced in
Sukothai,
Sawankalok, and
Ayutthaya. Today most
wats or pagodas and palaces throughout
Cambodia,
Laos, and
Thailand are adorned with these sacred finials at their roof end with many types and appearance. == Raising of
chofa ==