Five Royal Regalia The royal insignia of Thailand consist of a number of traditional objects symbolising the authority and sovereignty of the monarch. The most important of these are collectively known as the
Khrueang Bencharat Kakuthaphan ("Five Royal Regalia"): • The Great Crown of Victory (
Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut) is perhaps the most unusual piece to a Western observer, as it does not correspond to the European concept of a crown. The crown has a conical shape rather than a gem-studded diadem. It was made of
gold in 1782 during the reign of King
Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok and
enameled in red and green. It stands about 66 cm high and weighs 7.3 kg. The crown is topped with a large diamond known as the
Maha Wichien Mani, which was added by King
Mongkut (Rama IV). • The Sword of Victory (
Phra Saeng Khan Chai Si) was presented to King Phra Phutthayotfa by Chao Phraya Apai Pubek of
Cambodia in 1783. • The Royal Fan (
Phat Wan Wichani) symbolise the King’s ability to dispel misfortune from his subjects and to keep them in comfort and well-being. • The Royal Sandals (
Chalong Phrabat Choeng Ngon) are made of gold and have slightly upturned toes to protect the king's feet. Royal umbrellas of this type are also mentioned in the
Jataka as well as in the
Mahāvaṃsa. • The
Golden Jubilee Diamond (
Phet Kanchanaphisek), a 545.65
carat golden-brown diamond regarded as the largest faceted diamond in the world. It was presented to
Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in 1997 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his accession to the throne. • The Fly whisk made from the tail hair of a
white elephant (
Phra Sae Hang Chang Pueak)—both whisks are very ancient symbols. • The Personal Sword was carried behind the Siamese kings on almost every occasion by the secretary of the royal household. It bears a resemblance to the sword seen by
Zhou Daguan, the Chinese diplomat, when he visited the court at Angkor in 1296, • The Brahmin Belt is a traditional attribute of the Hindu god
Shiva. Its presentation to the king is intended to symbolize the unity of the god with the king. • The Belt of the Nine
Gems was formerly used as an
amulet. The "Nine Gems" (diamond, ruby, emerald, yellow sapphire, garnet, black opal, moonstone, zircon, and chrysoberyl) represent nine planets; the auspicious stones "are said to endow the king with illustrious power and benevolence." • The Eight Weapons of Independence appear to be of Siamese historical interest alone, and all likely refer to a specific historical moment – particularly in connection with King
Naresuan, who is said to have killed the Crown Prince of Burma with the "Long-Hilted Sword" in 1593. The bow is certainly the weapon with the oldest history, while the discus and trident are attributes of the Hindu gods
Vishnu and Shiva, and are said to symbolize the king's connection with these two gods. It was also Naresuan who is said to have killed the Burmese commander-in-chief Surakamma of a raiding army with a single shot across the border river of the same name using the matchlock "Gun of Satong." These eight weapons, however, are said to have been reproductions made for the coronation of King
Vajiravudh (Rama VI); the real weapons were probably lost when
Ayutthaya fell in 1767. • The Sword of the Hostages • The Discus • The
Trident • The Diamond Spear • The Sword with a Long Handle • Sword and Shield • The Bow • The Gun of Satong == Impressions ==