Thai spirit houses
Unfortunately not my intellectual property, but that of Karolina Lipiec
Everyone in Thailand believes that every piece of land is inhabited by at least one spirit. If the owner wants to build a house on it, he is taking away the spirit's home. And because everyone knows that it is better not to upset spirits, the people there have come up with a great idea: they simply relocate the spirit that has been expelled from the ground of the building site!
So that the spirit does not have to live with the people in their new house, they build it its own little house and make it comfortable. What sounds so simple is a highly complicated process.
The right place? First of all, the village shaman has to find a suitable place for the spirit's new home. There are many rules that he has to follow. For example, the shadow of the big house must not fall on the spirit house under any circumstances. People believe that spirits and people live in two completely different worlds that should not disturb each other.
That is why not even the shadow is allowed to touch the other world. The best place for the house is on the property boundary. From there, the Thais believe, the spirit can see the approaching enemy better and avert impending misfortune more quickly. Finally, an astrologer determines the date on which the house can be erected and inaugurated.
The small spirit shrines are not only built in front of residential buildings. They stand in front of almost every building, whether it is a hospital, hotel or department store. Even schools have their shrines. There you often see students trying to ingratiate themselves with the spirits by making offerings and praying for good grades.
The Thai spirit houses are maintained and decorated with great effort. The spirit is supposed to feel good and bring blessings.
However, the families' efforts are not entirely selfless.
In return for so much honor, the house spirit has the duty to respect the family living in the house and to ensure their well-being. The happier the spirit, the more support it provides. People believe that spirits and people have similar needs and preferences. That's why they often decorate the spirit houses the way they would like to live if they were a spirit. Some even put small models of televisions or dancing figures in them so that the spirit is also entertained. You often see animal figures that are meant to serve the spirit. There are no fixed rules. The main thing is that the spirit feels at home there.
Spirit feast
The most important thing, however, is the physical well-being of the spirit. To ensure that it is well, it receives regular offerings.
Trouble in the house
If the spirit is happy, the owner of the house can be sure that his property and his family are protected from evil. The Thais believe that if a spirit house is neglected, this can have dire consequences. It is said that the spirit then ensures that the house falls into the same bad condition. If the house spirit is offended, it can even move out. That would bring great misfortune to the owner of the house and his family. The family would then have to call a spirit doctor who would appease and bring the spirit back in an elaborate and expensive ceremony. Often it is a small portion of fresh fruit, rice or even cake. Fragrant flower garlands are often hung and incense sticks are lit as decoration.
Sometimes there is also a shot or a can of Coca-Cola for the spirits. Not just because of the taste, but above all because of the red can! It is said that red is the Thai people's favorite color in the house.
If the spirit is happy, the owner of the house can be sure that his property and his family will be protected from evil. If a spirit house is neglected, the Thais believe, this can have dire consequences. It is said that the spirit then ensures that the house falls into the same bad condition.
If the house spirit is offended, it can even happen that it moves out. That would bring great misfortune to the owner of the house and his family. The family would then have to call a ghost doctor who would appease and bring the ghost back in an elaborate and expensive ceremony.