In traditional Thai culture, horoscopes and divining were used to set the fate and future of people. These were important methods to help people cope with the definiteness of life.
Divination specialists acquired knowledge that was secret to ordinary people, particularly on the perceived influences of stars, planets, numbers, plants, animals of the zodiac, and divinities on the lives of humans. Certain constellations of day and time of birth with the stars, zodiac animals, and guardian spirits of the birthplace, for example, could be interpreted as positive or negative influences on someone’s future life.
Before making important decisions – like naming a newborn child, moving to a different place, starting a new business, or choosing a profession – people will take a divination specialist for advice.
Problems with health and wellbeing weren’t traditionally regarded as purely physical. In addition to medical treatment, people would search for the root of the problem elsewhere. A divination specialist would have been contacted to find out if there was. Divination specialists also helped people to interpret dreams and bad omens, putting people’s minds at rest.
Horoscopes were often recorded in manuscripts. These are known as Phrommachat in Thailand; ‘pharma’ refers to Brahma, the creator god in Hinduism. This is an example of Thailand’s pre-Buddhist traditions being adopted from neighboring countries, particularly the Khmer Empire.
The British Library holds several Thai horoscope manuals, which are all in the format of paper folding books with colored illustrations and text in Thai.
One particular horoscope manual features illustrations of the 12 animals of the Thai zodiac. Each animal is accompanied by a female or a male ‘avatar’ (representing yin and yang) and a plant that houses the guardian spirit of the soul of the person born in the year of this animal.
Thai people adapted the animals of the Chinese zodiac according to their purposes and ideas. The principle of the 12-year lunar cycle, with each year represented by an animal, is still followed, only the Chinese dragon was replaced by a Buddhist nāga (serpent) in the Thai tradition.
As well as the above characteristics of the years in the Thai zodiac, alterations and alternative interpretations are depending on your month and day of birth.
The month
Each year is divided into quarters, each of which is associated with a particular animal of the zodiac sign. For example, the 5th, 6th, and 7th months in the year of the monkey are associated with an ‘excellent monkey’. Such people have a mild disposition, and may not be very helpful to others but can develop.
The 8th, 9th, and 10th months in the year of the monkey are associated with a forest monkey. Someone born in these months is faithful and good-hearted; they will succeed.
The mangrove monkey is associated with the 11th, 12th, and 1st months in the year of the monkey, and people born at that time will be aggressive and will become wealthy.
The remaining three months are associated with the wind monkey, and people born in these months in the year of the monkey are hard to teach as children but will have a good disposition and repute in later life.
The day
Birth on a Sunday in the year of the monkey is associated with a monkey reared by a lord. Someone born on that day will be fortunate in life.
Monday is connected to a common monkey, and someone born on that day is likely to live in poverty.
Tuesday is associated with an imprisoned monkey. Born on that day in the year of the monkey, you can expect trouble and misfortunes.
Wednesday is the day of a monkey reared by a hermit. People born on that day are well informed and will live a good life.
Thursday is associated with a monkey brought up by a chief Brahmin (learned ceremonial master at the king’s court); someone born on this day is intelligent, clever, and has great potential.
Friday is the day of an excellent monkey. People born on a Friday in the year of the monkey are very fortunate.
A chained monkey is associated with Saturday; people born on this day in the year of the monkey may experience suffering in their life.
In addition to predictions related to the Thai zodiac, this manuscript contains explanations on how to interpret certain omens and signs that people may see in dreams. For example, dreaming about being murdered is regarded as a reverse omen and means that the person will gain wealth and defeat enemies.
If one sees a Buddha image or the sun in a dream, it is interpreted that the person will have power and authority over enemies.
Dreaming of seeing moonlight means there will be trouble with your partner, while a heart being torn out predicts the loss of a loved one.
Many aspects of Thai horoscope manuscripts deal with marital relationships and match-making. There are detailed explanations on which types of people are good or bad matches for marriage.