Cosmology and the Traditional Thai Design of the Royal Throne of Rattanakosin Royal Hall
The Royal Throne inside Amarinthara Winictchai Throne Hall built during the early Rattanakosin Period (1782-present day) in Thailand is considered as the utmost essential furniture of the Royal Hall. Due to the fact that it is used for special state occasions as well as royal ceremonies, the Royal Throne was designed and constructed with an exquisite traditional Thai architectural design based on the concept of kingship and cosmology. According to this particular concept, the Royal Throne symbolizes Mount Meru, which is believed to be the center of the universe based on the perception of Thai culture in the past, on top of which Indra, the lord of all gods and goddesses, is residing. Hence, it is believed that whenever the King sits on the Royal Throne he ideally represents Indra whose throne is at the center of the universe. It is a way of expressing the greatness of the Kings power as Deva Raja or the Lord of Universe. The designing of the Royal Throne inside Amarinthara Winictchai Throne Hall is considered to be an important sample of furniture of the Grand Palace that entirely conveys the notion of cosmology and kingship. Since then, this design concept based on kingship and cosmology and even some of the design elements that signify such concept have been included as part of the design of other Throne Halls (Phra Raja Atsana) until today in order to preserve the iconology of kingship originated from the ancient royal Thai tradition which reflects the unique identity of Thai nation.