Kanchong Medal, First Edition, Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2548

B.E. 2548

The Kanchong medal, first edition, of Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2548 (2005). It takes the form of an upright rectangular plaque; the obverse bears the pa kua (eight trigrams) with auspicious Chinese characters, the reverse the glyph 敕令 (“by heavenly decree”). It was made in many materials — enamelled gold, gold, enamelled silver, silver, sam kasat, copper, and silver-gilt with enamel in several colours.

The Kanchong medal, first edition of Wat Chulamanee was made in B.E. 2548 (2005). It is the first edition of the Kanchong medal made by the temple, and the model for the later editions. It takes the form of an upright rectangular plaque with cut corners and an integral suspension loop.

The Obverse — the Eight Trigrams

At the centre of the obverse is the pa kua (eight trigrams), enamelled in the colours of the directions, with the yin-yang symbol at its centre. Below it is the face of a guardian lion. The rows of Chinese characters above are inscribed:

元亨利貞 — the four qualities of the I Ching
八卦仙師 — the immortal master of the eight trigrams
金木水火土 — the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth)

Auspicious Chinese characters are set at the four corners below.

The Reverse — the Heavenly Decree

The reverse bears the glyph 敕令 (tek leng), “by heavenly decree” — the opening glyph of a Chinese talisman (hu) — filling the field, encircled by Chinese characters, with a further row of characters along the lower edge.

Photographs of the various materials

Gold with enamel

Gold

Silver with enamel

Silver

Sam Kasat (three-metal)

Copper

Silver-gilt with enamel (red)

Silver-gilt with enamel (purple)

Silver-gilt with enamel (orange)

Silver-gilt with enamel (blue)

Silver-gilt with enamel (green)

Silver-gilt with enamel (yellow)

Note

Details of the consecration rite, the numbers produced, and the full range of materials for this edition await confirmation from the temple. The account above records only what the images and the inscriptions on the medal itself show.

Note: this account is compiled to document the amulets of Wat Chulamanee and is not intended for any purpose of trade.