Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sacred Fig Tree in Pattaya Naklua
The sacred tree prominently positioned in the middle of the road, in the center of the market town of Naklua, just a few miles north of Pattaya, is commonly referred to as "The Tree". It is in fact a Sacred Fig tree (ficus religiosa), sacred fig trees are highly respected in Thailand because of their religious and spiritual significance, add a large dash of superstition in to the mix and you begin to understand why the tree has kept it's prominent position.
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| Sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) in Naklua Pattaya Thailand |
As you see in the photo (above) the sacred fig tree has a dominant position in the center of Naklua, it is customary for drivers to beep their horn as they pass a sacred fig tree, a custom much more noticeable at the Sacred Tree in Jomtien.
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| Bodhi tree (Fig (Ficus religiosa) in Naklua, Pattaya Thailand |
I suspect that the concrete barrier around the tree is shaped in the fashion of a boat for decorative reasons, but it seems quite appropriate and may also have some spiritual or superstitious significance due to Naklua being a fishing village.
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| The sacred tree in Naklua, Pattaya Thailand. |
A collection of religious, spiritual and superstitious artefact's adorn the sacred fig tree in Naklua.