Tiger God at Ruamkatanyu Foundation’s shrine (Bangkok)

Tiger God at Ruamkatanyu Foundation’s shrine (Bangkok)

The statue above, representing the Tiger God, is believed to contain tiger bones and its spirit inside for the purpose of protecting people from the forces of evil. It is found in the shrine next to Ruamkatanyu Foundation at Wat Hua Lampong. People from all walks of life come here for merit making by donating coffin for victims killed in accidents or murdered where nobody had come forward to claim or identify the body.

I have heard about the famous San Chao Pho Suea (Tiger God Shrine) located at Tanao Road, one of the top ten shrines in the city but I have yet to pay a visit. The deity is highly respected by the local people. The favourite food of the Tiger are eggs and slices of fat pork bellies and the pork is placed on the Tiger’s mouth to symbolize feeding the Tiger.

Why do people worship Tiger God? Well, to get rid of bad luck and ward off backstabbers or troublemakers . In the past, there is a “da xiao ren” Chinese ritual where people gathered to get rid of xiao ren ( backstabbers or troublemakers) by hitting hard on a paper man or photo of a person with wooden clogs in front of the deity. The day normally falls on the 5th, 6th or 7th of March after the Lunar New Year.

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