Architectural Gem: Exploring Thailand's White Temple

European architecture has always been admired throughout history due to its global influence; however, there are numerous gorgeous buildings in Southeast Asia as beautiful as them if not more so. One can easily find a temple in every neighborhood in Thailand, and to witness the little details and colorful structure of Buddhist temples might bewitch you. One of the best examples of this kind of architecture is Wat Rong Khun, usually known as The White Temple, which is located in the northern part of Thailand, Chiang Rai.

The construction of the temple started in 1997, and its executive manager is the famous visual artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. He had volunteered to rebuild the structure and personally fund it. Being a very talented artist, he has designed the temple uniquely breaking the traditional concepts by using white plaster with tiny pieces of mirrored glass, which reflect the sun's rays on them. The white color of the temple is known to represent the purity and teachings of Buddhism as well as the wisdom of Buddha. 

Being almost a ruin and in need of repair, Kositpipat has restructured the temple with a combination of Thai and Hindu architecture adding diligent decoration for facades and exterior units. It might be the ground-breaker building of the 21st century with its dramatic ambiance which enhances the spiritual experience. To create these, all around the temple is filled with intricate details such as sculptures of demons and skulls. For example, there are some Thai mythological elements like half-man bird statues, which are believed to protect people by Thai ancestors. 

Understanding the Symbolism in the White Temple

The long entranceway usually means the necessity of putting effort into getting into an important building, which makes sense in this case, too. The greatness of the building means that it’s something to be respected. The temple also has various sections of side buildings such as the Gate of Heaven, or the Golden Building; a symbol of how most of the people in the world focus on material things like money. Another symbol is the Circle of Life Bridge which represents the interminable desires of human beings. In addition to these external units, there are interesting details inside of all. For example, there are some murals from famous books and movies such as Terminator, Harry Potter, and Matrix. One of the most unique things about this temple is that there are also paintings to tell the story of Buddha fighting demons and reaching nirvana. 

Having all these details and art in the building, Wat Rong Khun represents mind and happiness overall. Even though it has been in reconstruction for decades, it is estimated that it will not be finished until 2070. It means we will have the chance to discover new details in the future as well as appreciate the current ones.