Kutembea kwingi kuona mengi.

I was born on Wednesday, so I’ve learned by visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar.

The stupa’s plinth is made of bricks covered with genuine gold plates of which above the base are terraces that only monks and other males can access.

People all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it, a sacred tradition started by Queen Shin Sawbu also known as Binnya Thau 1454-1471.

It is of great importance for Burmese Buddhists to know on which day of the week they were born, as it is a determinant factor of which, of the eight planetary posts they belong to.

Wednesday is split in two, that’s morning and evening. However I’ve also learned that after 6pm it’s called Ragu’s day. I was born past 6pm so I’m not sure what my spirit animal is.

Anyway, each day is marked by animals it represents. The garuda( bird like Hindu creature) for Sunday, tiger for Monday, lion for Tuesday tusked elephant for Wednesday morning, tuskless elephant for Wednesday afternoon which is why in the Buddhist calendar there are 8 days of the week. The mouse is for for Thursday, guinea pig for Friday and snake, specifically cobra for Saturday.

Now, each planetary post has a Buddha image and devotees offer flowers and prayer flags and pour water on the image with a prayer and a wish. I had my chance too but I’m not revealing my wishes hahah! I learned also that at the base of the post behind the image is a guardian angel, and underneath the image is the animal representing that particular day. It is customary to circumnavigate Buddhist stupas in a clockwise direction.

Kutembea kwingi kuona Mengi. We learn something new each day and I’m sure if you are still here after reading this long blog post, isn’t it amazing how knowledgeable we have become?

Till next time…