What Is a Spirit House?
According to the U.K.'s University of Cumbria the spirit house is an important aspect and cultural symbol of an ancient religion known as Animism. The belief system revolving around Animism allows for the worship of ancestors and the belief that within each object there is a spirit that must be worshipped to avoid the spirit having an adverse effect on the life of those in the area.
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History
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The University of Cumbria explains the religion of Animism dates back to pre-Christianity times in South East Asia. The regions where these beliefs dominated include Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. The Thai information website Chiangmai Chiangrai explains the traditions associated with Animism moved with the migration of the Thai people from the Red River Delta region of Vietnam to all parts of South East Asia.
Spirit House
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The spirit house is a tradition commonly used in Thailand as a way of showing respect for spirits around homes and businesses. The Spirit House is erected in a prominent position outside a building in order to provide shelter for spirits, which can be good or evil and are thought to be mischievous when they are not treated with respect. A spirit is reported by Chiangmai Chiangrai to reside in each spirit house in order to watch over and provide protection for the property on which the spirit house is built.
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Types
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Chiangmai Chiangrai reports the style of a spirit house is the result of two factors, which are the cost of construction and the importance of the spirit invited to reside in the house. Spirit houses can be large enough for a person to walk around in and elaborately decorated or be a simple structure of small stature that stands on a stake in the corner of a garden. Construction of a spirit house is also dependent on the permanency of the building with spirit houses being both temporary and permanent structures made of wood, concrete or brick.
Builders
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Specialist spirit house builders are employed to produce spirit houses in Thailand, according to Chiangmai Chiangrai. As well as being skilled in the proper construction for a spirit house for each spirit the spirit house builder is also an expert in rituals. When construction is completed a spirit house builder can advise their client on the proper ways to invite a spirit into the spirit house.
Religion
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The University of Cumbria reports the widespread use of Animism and spirit houses by followers of other religions in South East Asia. As religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity grew in South East Asia rituals merged to ensure the success of business ventures and prosperity of homes. Elements of Animism are therefore found in the majority of religions found in South East Asia with spirit houses prominent in all homes and businesses in Thailand.
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References
- Photo Credit south asia image by NataV from Fotolia.com
