An Investigation of the Factors Influencing the Adoption of Wat Ayothaya Pond Water as a Consecrated Water Source in 1911 and 1925 Coronations

Abstract

This article aims to scrutinise the factors affecting the adoption of Wat Ayothaya pond as a consecrated water source in coronations. The study reveals that Wat Ayothaya pond was initially used at the coronation of King Rama VI in 1911 and the coronation of King Rama VII in 1925 for the last time. Major factors for the use of pond water from Wat Ayothaya is categorised into three aspects which are (1) the importance of the monastery—Wat Ayothaya was built during the establishment of Ayutthaya Kingdom in which the area of the temple covers the ancient royal palace from early Ayutthaya period. In addition, there was a patriarch governing the temple which can be assume that the temple was under the royal patronage in Ayutthaya period. (2) Mythical beliefs and the status of the pond as a part of ancient kingdom monastery which orally stated that the pool might had been used in ancient weaponary rituals within the monastery that is the important temple of Ayothaya. (3) Auspicious name by the association of temple with the archaic state name "Ayothaya" mean unconquerable state and the pond stood alongside the temple relentlessly as Nong Sa Noa where it related to the establishment of the kingdom in 1350.