Thailand: Two pages from an illustrated manuscript of a prommachat or divination manual, mid-19th century

This divination manual contains horoscopes based on the Chinese zodiac, relating each lunar month to the animals of the 12-year-cycle and their reputed attributes (earth, wood, fire, iron, water) as well as a male or female avatar (representing the Chinese concepts of yin and yang).

This manuscript from the 19th century also includes beautifully illustrated descriptions of lucky and unlucky matches of couples. The paintings on the left side depict the female avatar of the year of the pig riding on a blue hog, and illustrations of possible fates for people born in the year of the pig.

On the right side are two ogres (phi suea) who will stay happily married until old age, whereas the relationship between a male ogre and a female angel (deva) is doomed to bad luck.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History