Hi!

I really want to know what the Thais call the stone or sometimes wood penis that you always see in the cash box of merchants. Anyone out there know the name and specific meaning behind it? One can guess the meaning easily enough, but I was wondering if there was a story behind it.

Thanks!! ;-)

Shiva leung (ศิวะ ลึงค์) or the smaller amulet versions bpalat khik (ปลัดขิก) worn on the body. Its origins are in Hinduism, representing the penis of the god Shiva (Siva), and is simply a lucky talisman inviting good business and prosperity.

Edited January 5, 200917 yr by phaethon

Shiva leung (ศิวะ ลึงค์) or the smaller amulet versions bpalat khik (ปลัดขิก) worn on the body. Its origins are in Hinduism, representing the penis of the god Shiva (Siva), and is simply a lucky talisman inviting good business and prosperity.

Thanks!! Much appreciated!

Shiva leung (ศิวะ ลึงค์) or the smaller amulet versions bpalat khik (ปลัดขิก) worn on the body. Its origins are in Hinduism, representing the penis of the god Shiva (Siva), and is simply a lucky talisman inviting good business and prosperity.

Thanks!! Much appreciated!

Never heard of a Sivan 'leung'?

The Shiva 'linga' does not represent the penis. That is an invention of early Western explorers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Linga

In the Article Under Misinterpretations

note the quote that some scientists have deemed church steeples to be phallic

Thailand has an ancient history of Shiva, Vishnu worship, and Brahman practises, which live along side of Buddhism during many Royal Ceremonies.

'Leung' is a Thai pronunciation of lingam, and in the Thai interpretation of the Sivalingam, it most definitely represents the penis.

Similarly in ancient Khmer and Champa sculptures of Sivalingam, you will often see outlines of the glans, etc. Perhaps it's only a Southeast Asian interpretation, but then you would have to account for the vaginal-uteral shaped yoni surrounding the lingam in Indian iconography.

Champa crystal lingam:

North India, 4th century:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/42/79179283...b181601.jpg?v=0

Cambodia, 10th century:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...Guimet_2597.jpg

One could speculate that the lingam began as a stambha (pillar) in the early eras of Brahmanism and gradually took on more phallic characteristics in folk interpretations at least, after the yoni was added and after it moved to SE Asia.