Fog Fest Invitational, May 31 – June 30, 2019
A king fearful of her brother’s supernatural powers married Sister Golden Face in order to lure her brother to the palace. When her brother arrived, he was tied to a tree and burnt to death along with his sister. The siblings turned into malevolent spirits haunting the tree where they died. The king ordered the tree to be cut down and flung into the Irawaddy river. The tree floated down the river until it reached Bagan. The spirits appeared in dream to the King of Bagan asking him for a shrine in return for their protection and guardianship of the city.*
Red and white cloth in a home or tied to an automobile rear-view mirror or hood ornament are traditional nat colors of protection.
*Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism by Maung Htin Aung
For more pictures and text about the Nats see my gallery at http://www.davidclayphotography.com/#/nats/
