Siam Gold: the Sword of Victory

27.12.2024

Average reading time — 3 minutes

Thailand's Sword of Victory is a royal regalia item that symbolises the authority and strength of the reigning monarch.

History and legend

The legend of the sword is still alive in popular tradition. Since 1784, stories about the origin of the royal weapon have been passed down. One legend tells of an unusual catch by a Cambodian fisherman: while fishing in the Tonlé Sap lake, he found a golden sword tangled in his net. He gave it to the local governor, Chao Phraya Aphaiphubet, who later presented it to King Rama I.

According to the legend, the sword had tremendous power: when it was brought to Bangkok, seven bolts of lightning struck the city, damaging several buildings, including a gate of the Grand Palace.

Siam Gold: the Sword of Victory

Meaning

Its Thai name, "Phra Saeng Khan Chaiyasi", is usually rendered as the "Sword of Victory". The sword expresses a key principle of royal virtue: the king who holds it must rule his country and his people justly.

Characteristics of the golden sword

Length of the hilt: 25.4 cm
Length of the blade: 64.5 cm
Total length in the scabbard: 101 cm
Weight: about 1.9 kg

The base between the blade and the hilt is inlaid with gold. It shows images from Hindu mythology: the god Vishnu riding the bird Garuda, which is a national symbol and appears on the emblem of Thailand.

Siam Gold: the Sword of Victory

At the request of King Rama I, a special scabbard was made of gold and decorated with precious stones. By tradition, the golden Sword of Victory remains an essential part of the coronation ceremony of Thai monarchs: the king receives it from the hands of the Brahmin priest.

In 2006 a monument featuring the Sword of Victory was installed on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok to mark the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne.

Siam Gold: the Sword of Victory