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Wat Thai of Los Angeles emblem
The green Thotsakan guardian statue at the entrance of Wat Thai of Los Angeles
At Wat Thai of Los Angeles
The Green Giant

Thotsakan

A powerful yaksha from Thailand's national epic, Thotsakan now stands at the temple entrance as a sacred protector.

Appearance
Green giant
Depicted with
Ten faces and twenty arms
Temple counterpart
Sahasadecha

A formidable yaksha

Thotsakan was a yaksha, a powerful nature spirit, depicted as a giant green demon with ten faces and twenty arms. He was a powerful shapeshifter and could use the dark arts.

His story in the Ramakien

In Thailand's epic, the Ramakien, Thotsakan triggered a war after abducting the wife of the prince Phra Ram, who represents restraint, justice, and truth.

Phra Ram eventually defeated Thotsakan by striking him with an enchanted arrow.

Why this guardian stands here

A protector at the temple entrance

Thotsakan and his ally Sahasadecha stand together at the temple entrance to show that their destructive natures have been pacified. Here, the once-fearsome giants serve as sacred protectors of the temple.

Article credit

Author: Aidan Pao