Photo credit from Hilltop Wellness.
In Thailand, the phuang malai is a floral garland that is used traditionally during religious offerings, to show respect to others, and offered during ceremonies and celebrations. Nowadays though, it is making waves amongst the youth, especially by women, as it is garnering new usage as a hair accessory and a fashion piece – giving a modern take on the traditional floral garland.
In Thai culture, a phuang malai is seen to be a sign of respect, and is traditionally given as a symbol of worship. For instance, a single-tail garland often acts as an offering to Buddha. This is also known as an amisa bucha, or the offering of flowers and other material objects as a sign of worship and gratitude.
The floral garland is also traditionally given as a way to honor someone. For instance, it can be given to honor one’s elders during Songkran, the Thai New Year, and can also be given as well to mothers and teachers as a way to honor them. A double-tail garland can also be given to guests, performers, and other respected individuals, which is often meant to be worn around their necks. It can also be hanged in a car or a boat as an offering to Mae Yanang, a guardian goddess that is said to offer protection and safe travels to the passenger and the vehicle.
The phuang malai is designed through the use of fresh flowers such as jasmine, crown flower, phut flower, and champaca. Then it is threaded on a long needle and slid into a thread wherein it is finally tied into a garland.
Traditionally, it is often hung inside a location or worn around the neck, but current trends see the traditional Thai floral garland wrapped around a hair bun or a braided crown, wherein the floral tassel is left draped down the hair, showcasing the intricate designs of the threaded flowers. Due to the recent trend, shops around places like Pak Khlong Talat, a traditional floral market in Bangkok, have provided patrons with hair styling services, using a phuang malai as a hair piece.
Similar trends that blend traditional Thai practices with modern fashion have also previously garnered popularity, especially in social media. These include the sabai, a traditional shoulder cloth worn alongside jeans, as well as the use of pink and white lotus flowers as an accessory when taking photographs, which can often be seen to be designed into a bouquet.
From sacred spaces to the streets of Bangkok, these recent fashion trends are a testament to the timelessness of Thai tradition and the willingness of today’s youth to explore tradition through blending it with contemporary fashion.