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City Pillar, or lak muang, is a religious pillar that is usually located at or near the center of the city or town square in Thailand. It can be found in most Thai cities, which were populated by the Tai communities (the community from which the name Thai is somewhat derived). The city pillar is regarded as the abode of the guardian spirit of the city. I have also described the City Pillar Shrine of Bangkok.
There could be several types of city pillars. There are city pillars surrounded by four post, a design that can be seen in Yunnan, China. In Lampang, one can find city pillars in group of three, standing 2.5 to 4 meters tall. Then there are city pillars in the from of linga, or phallus symbol, an influence from the Khmers, who were practising Hindus worshipping Shiva. In Nan, the City Pillar has faces carved on it, and is known as Mukhalinga.
Traditionally, the City Pillar is of the same height as the founder of the city. Its diameter is about 5, 7 or 9 times the size of his fist.
Located close to the City Pillar is the ruler's palace, the principal wat of the city, or a reservoir. The main road that passes through the city usually bisects the town, often passing close to the City Pillar.
Chiang Rai City Pillar
author: User:Thithat (public domain)
Chumphon City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Media lib (cc-by-sa-3.0)
Kanchanaburi City Pillar
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 26 January 2005
Mae Sai City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 2 February 2006
Nakhon Ratchasima City Pillar
author: User:media lib (GFDL), March 2006
Nakhon Si Thammarat City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Oatz (public domain), 14 November 2007
Phitsanulok City Pillar shrine
author: User:Michael Brueckner (GFDL), 3 October 2005
Prachap Khiri Khan City Pillar shrine
author: User:Oatz (public domain), 2 November 2007
Ratchaburi City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006
Saraburi City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2008
Si Satchanalai City Pillar
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006
Songkhla City Pillar
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 23 January 2005
Sukhothai City Pillar
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006
Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Oatz (public domain), 2 November 2007
Tak City Pillar
author: User:media lib (GFDL), 14 April 2008
Trang City Pillar Shrine, in Kantang district, the former location of Trang
author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), February 2005
Udon Thani City Pillar
author: User:Jarcje (GFDL), April 2008
Yasothon City Pillar Shrine
author: User:Pawyilee (GFDL), 6 July 2006
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