The Buddhist Banner: Identity and Aestheticism in the Dimension of Meaning Reflection on the Tai Lue Ethnic Group Education

Abstract

Tung, the Buddhist banner of the Tai Lue ethnic group (TLEG), has been used for many types of worship and rituals of TLEG living in northern Thailand from the past to the present. Thus, Tung is a symbol that reflects the beliefs and faiths of TLEG. This research aimed to study the characteristics and aestheticism of Tung in the dimension reflecting the beliefs and faiths of TLEG. The in-depth data and information were obtained from the observations and interviews from the key informants, such as the leaders of communities, local philosophers, and Tung weavers of TLEG in Chiang Kham, Phayao, Thailand. It showed that commonly the characteristic shape of Tai Lue Tung is a vertical rectangle that has characteristic patterns that can be divided into three groups: 1) real-world and mythical animals, 2) plants, and 3) utensils and castles, which reflect the stories handed down from the past to the present. Additionally, the aestheticism of Tung takes place through three factors: 1) beliefs and faiths, 2) merit and gratitude, and 3) creativity and imagination from the Tung weavers’ experiences obtained from the compositions and arrangements of all patterns based on the principles of visual elements. This study can be implied into curriculum and learning about Tai cultural education.