Eggsquisitely Mythical #6: Cambodia
- Dr. Fizza Younis
- Mar 25
- 17 min read
Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!
For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the myths and legends of Cambodia.
BACKGROUND
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. The official language and national language is Khmer, and the official script is also Khmer.
Cambodian/Khmer mythology is rich and complex, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses closely associated with Hinduism and Buddhism due to the historical influence of these religions on Cambodia. Many of the mythological elements in Cambodia are also intertwined with religious practices, festivals, and temple iconography.
DEITIES & GUARDIANS
Preah Thaong and Neang Neak are considered the progenitors of the Khmer people. They emerged from a cavity in a bamboo stalk and gave birth to the first Khmer, according to legend.
Indra (Phra In) is a major deity in Hindu mythology and is also revered in Khmer culture. He is the king of the heavens, the god of rain, thunder, and lightning.
Vishnu (Phra Wisnu) is another Hindu god venerated in Khmer mythology. He is the preserver of the universe and is often associated with benevolence.
Shiva (Phra Iswara), one of the principal deities of Hinduism, is also worshipped in Cambodia. He is considered the god of destruction and transformation.
Brahma (Phra Prom) is the creator god in Hinduism, and his role is also recognized in Khmer mythology.
Yama (Dharmaraja) is the god of death and justice. In Khmer mythology, Yama plays a significant role in determining the fate of souls after death.
Phra Mae Thorani is a chthonic goddess from the Buddhist mythology of Theravada in Southeast Asia. She is known as the goddess of the earth and is often depicted in a reclining position.
Apsaras are celestial nymphs who are often depicted as dancers. They are believed to be the wives of the Gandharvas, who are celestial musicians. Apsaras are commonly found in bas-reliefs of Angkor temples such as the Preah Khan and Angkor Wat.
Devi is the mother goddess of Hinduism and is often depicted as a fierce warrior. She is also known as Durga, Kali, and Parvati. In Khmer mythology, she is often depicted riding a lion or tiger.
Lokesvara is a bodhisattva of compassion in Buddhism. She is often depicted with multiple arms and heads, and is sometimes referred to as the "Goddess of Mercy."
Yakshi is a female nature spirit in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman who is associated with fertility and vegetation. In Khmer mythology, she is often depicted holding a lotus flower.
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts in Hinduism. She is often depicted playing a musical instrument called a veena and is associated with the color white. In Khmer mythology, she is often depicted holding a book or playing a musical instrument.
Lok Ta Dambong Kroar (Grandfather Dambong Kroar), a revered spirit in Cambodian folklore, Lok Ta Dambong Kroar is believed to protect the land and its people, often associated with the local spirits of nature.
The Makara is a mythical sea creature often used as a decorative motif in Khmer art and architecture. It is a symbol of protection and is often depicted in temple facades and lintels.
Neang Khmau (Black Lady) is a female guardian spirit associated with rivers, lakes, and natural water sources. She is often appeased to ensure safe passage and good fishing.
Neang Thalay (Lady of the Sea) is a guardian spirit of the sea, believed to protect fishermen and sailors.
MYTHICAL CREATURES
Naga is a serpent-like creature that appears in many Southeast Asian mythologies. In Khmer mythology, it is associated with water, fertility, and protection.
Garuda is a bird-like creature that originates in Hindu mythology. It symbolizes power and protection, and it is often depicted as the mount for Vishnu.
Kinnari/Kinnara has the upper body of a human and the lower body of a bird. They are often depicted as musicians and are associated with beauty and grace.
Kaliya is a multi-headed serpent or naga that is often associated with the story of Lord Krishna. In some versions, Kaliya is portrayed as a malevolent serpent that Krishna subdues.
Aphiwich is a mythical aquatic creature resembling a giant catfish or serpent. It is said to inhabit the Mekong River and is associated with fertility and abundance.
Reahu is a monstrous creature believed to cause eclipses by devouring the sun or moon. It is said that rituals and ceremonies were performed to ward off Reahu during such events.
Bakasura is a monstrous creature, sometimes depicted as a giant bird or a demon, associated with devouring human flesh. The Bakasura is often featured in folktales as a challenge for heroes.
Chamhagn is a mythical bird that is associated with fate and destiny. It is also considered a messenger between human and spirit realms.
Kraheh Yut Khla is a mythical giant bat believed to inhabit certain remote or sacred areas. It is often associated with darkness and the supernatural.
Krakei is a mythical bird with golden feathers, often associated with prosperity and good fortune. It is considered a symbol of luck and positive energy.
Chao Aphi is a legendary crocodile that is said to have terrorized ancient Cambodia. It is often associated with the creation of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Lake.
Kraheh Pram is a mythical creature that is half bird and half serpent. Some stories depict it as a guardian spirit.
Kraheh Krahorm is a supernatural crow or raven that is associated with death and the spirit world. It is often considered a messenger between the living and the dead.
Chanda Raja is a legendary elephant that appears in Khmer folklore. It is often associated with royalty and may be featured in stories related to ancient Khmer kings.
Tikbalang is more commonly found in Filipino folklore, a similar creature called Ke Ta Reach is mentioned in some Khmer stories. It is a supernatural being with the lower body of a horse and is associated with mischief.
SPIRITS & CELESTIAL BEINGS
Kraheh Khmau (Black Buffalo) is a supernatural buffalo spirit that is believed to inhabit certain areas. It is associated with fertility and protection, and rituals are performed to seek its favor.
Yaksha are tree spirits or nature spirits in Khmer mythology. Stories portray them as mischievous beings. But they are also considered benevolent in some myths.
Gandharva are celestial musicians often associated with heavenly music. They are considered benevolent beings and are sometimes depicted as divine messengers.
Apsara are nymphs who are considered to be beautiful and graceful. They are the celestial dancers associated with water and clouds.
Krahang is a ghost or spirit in Khmer folklore, often depicted as a flying creature with a hideous appearance. It is associated with death and the supernatural.
Phi Pop is a malevolent spirit or ghost that is believed to cause thunderstorms and natural disasters.
Tosakanth (Ravana) is the demon king and a central figure in the Reamker, the Cambodian adaptation of the Ramayana. He is the Khmer equivalent of Ravana in epic Hindu Ramayan.
Kraol is a type of spirit that is associated with specific places like trees or bodies of water. They are believed to have supernatural powers and can be both useful and harmful to humans.
A Bort is a mythical supernatural spirit that is believed to haunt forests and wilderness.
SHAPESHIFTERS
Rakshasa are the shapeshifters who can be either benevolent or malevolent. In most stories, they are depicted as demonic creatures who deceive humans.
LEGENDS, MYTHS, AND FOLKTALES
Creation of Khmer Kingdom
In the beginning, there was nothing but the endless waters of the cosmic oceans. From it emerged a serpent god, Naga, whose scales shimmered like precious gemstones. He yearned for life to flourish in the emptiness. In his immeasurable wisdom and power, he summoned the divine spirits, called Apsaras, and asked them to dance on the waves. Their celestial movements gave birth to the cosmos, thus creating heaven, the earth, and all the realms in between.
Naga descended to the earthly realm and transformed into a dragon. With the flick of his tail, the dragon carved valleys and rivers into the earth. And with each beat of his wings, he breathed life into the fertile landscape. Lush jungles, vibrant flora, fauna, and mighty rivers were created from the heart of Southeast Asia.
But something was still missing. Then divine inspiration struck, and from the clay of the river banks, Naga created first humans, a man and a woman. They were destined to become the stewards of the land, guarding the balance between earthly and spiritual realms.
In gratitude for the gift of life, the first humans built magnificent temples and shrines to honor Naga and the divine spirits. These sacred structures stood as a testament to the eternal connection between the Khmer people and the celestial forces that shaped their destiny.
While the human world flourished above water, under the sea, the Naga kingdom also thrived. Until such a time when a powerful serpent princess named Neang Neak (or Nagi Soma) ruled it. She was the daughter of a powerful Naga king and possessed a magical jewel known as the "Soma," which gave her divinity.
Time passed and an Indian Brahman named Preah Thaong, a devotee of a Hindu god, dreamt of his god giving him a divine bow and arrows. The god asked him to take to sea in a vessel. But later, the god changed the course of the vessel and Preah Thaong came to Funan.*
While Nagi Soma came to the vessel to plunder it but was struck by Preah Thaong's magical arrow. She surrendered and later the two fell in love. They married to create the first royal dynasty of today's Cambodia. The Naga king drank all the water of the area where Preah Thaong and Nagi Soma met and gifted the land to the new couple as dowry. Thus the foundation of the Khmer civilization was established. Nagi Soma used the powers of her jewel to form a protective barrier around the land, which became the Khmer Kingdom.
Preah Thaong is also known as Kaundinya in Sanskrit and Hun-t'ien in Chinese records. Whereas, Nagi Soma is also known as Neang Neak in some versions of the myth.
Note that while variations of the story exist in other South and Southeast Asian cultures, the narrative of Preah Thaong and Neang Neak continues to be an integral part of Khmer heritage, highlighting the intertwined relationship between the human and divine realms in the Khmer worldview.
It is also interesting to note that even though the characters may vary in different versions, the underlying theme of a foreign prince marrying a local princess and establishing a royal dynasty remains consistent across these adaptations.
Note: Funan was an ancient Indianized state located in mainland Southeast Asia, centered on the Mekong Delta, that existed from the first to sixth century CE. The Khmer Kingdom, on the other hand, was established in the 9th century CE.
The Ghost Banana Tree
Once upon a time, a poor farmer and his wife lived in a small village in Cambodia. Unable to support his wife and desperate for work, the husband left to find work in a faraway village. For years, he worked hard and saved enough to return with a hope of a better future.
Unbeknownst to him, while he was away, his wife fell ill and died. Restless, her ghost began to haunt the villagers, and they started to avoid the house where the couple resided. No one would dare venture near it, and after some time, they stopped seeing the ghost.
When the husband finally returned to the village, he noticed how quiet the house was and how not a soul could be seen in its vicinity. Confused and worried about not finding his wife in the house, he went to ask the villagers. He learned about the sad news of his wife's passing, and the villagers also warned him about the haunting in his house, but he didn't heed their warnings and came back to his empty house.
He was saddened by the death of his wife and the fact that he couldn't be with her in her last moments. There was a beautiful banana tree in their backyard, which they had both grown with love. It was lush and green, and it used to bore the sweetest bananas in the village. The man remembered the happier time when the couple would sit under its shade to enjoy the cool breeze.
Heartbroken, the husband started sitting under the tree often, reminiscing about the good times they had spent together. Soon, he began to notice strange things happening around the tree. The bananas would turn black and rot, and the leaves would rustle even when there was no wind. Since he didn't understand it, he decided to ignore the strange happenings.
One night, he woke up to find his wife's ghost standing next to the banana tree. She was holding a bunch of bananas in her hand and was staring at him with a cold, vengeful gaze. Until that moment, he hadn't believed the stories related to him by the villagers, but now seeing the ghost with his own eyes terrified him, and he ran out of the house to seek help.
He ran to a Buddhist monk's house in the village and asked the monk for a prayer of protection. His wife's ghost had followed him to the monk's house, but she couldn't enter the building. After trying many times, she noticed a large banana tree with its leaves touching a window. Even though she couldn't enter the house any other way due to the protection prayers, she was able to enter by climbing the tree and using its large leaves that touched the house.
She then killed her husband, and their spirits left the mortal plane together. Later, the monk cut down the banana tree to make sure such an incident was never repeated.
Even to this day, the story of the Ghost Banana Tree is a popular legend in Cambodia. People tell the tale to their children and warn them about the dangers of planting banana trees near their homes because that's how ghosts and bad luck can enter the houses.
Neang Kakey
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful woman named Neang Kakey. She was the first of all the royal concubines of the kingdom of Peareansey. And she was known for her beauty and charm. However, she was also unfaithful and had affairs with other men. The king was aware of her infidelity but was unable to control her.
The king's counselor, Garuda, tricked the royal consort into sleeping with him at night. He then took her to his kingdom. When the king became aware of his counselor's trickery, he sent another royal counselor, Kânthan, to rescue her. Instead, Kânthan too was infatuated with Neang Kakey and became her daytime lover, while Garuda was unaware of becoming merely a nighttime lover. When he finally discovered her deceit, he rejected her. And she returned to the kingdom of Peareansey.
Later, Neang Kakey fell in love with a young man named Krong Reap. They began an affair, but the king's spies discovered their relationship. This time, the king was furious and ordered Krong Reap to be executed, and Neang Kakey was banished from the kingdom.
Neang Kakey wandered the countryside, living as a beggar. She eventually met a wise old woman who taught her about the virtues of honesty and loyalty. Neang Kakey realized the error of her ways and decided to return to the kingdom to seek forgiveness.
When she returned, the king was initially angry and refused to forgive her. However, Neang Kakey's sincerity and remorse eventually won him over, and he forgave her. Thus, Neang Kakey and the king reconciled and lived happily ever after.
Robam Moni Mekhala
Once upon a time, in ancient Cambodia, there lived a wise hermit named Lok Ta Moni Eisei. He possessed a magical crystal ball and had three pupils studying under him. His first pupil was Vorachhun, a princely manifestation of the earth. Second was Moni Mekhala, a beautiful goddess of the seas. And the third was Ream Eyso, a strong but ugly storm demon.
When the time came to pass on the magical crystal ball, Lok Ta Moni Eisei faced a dilemma. He couldn't decide which of his three students was worthy of such a gift. After careful consideration, he gave them a task to complete, whoever completed it, would receive the crystal ball. Their task was to collect a glass full of morning dew.
The following day, the three attempted to collect the morning dew. Vorachhun and Ream Eyso ventured into the forest to collect the fluid. They left not one leaf or blade of glass untouched, impatiently shaking the precious fluid into their glasses. Moni Mekhala ingeniously spread her shawl on the grass overnight, capturing the dew. She squeezed it into the glass and won the hermit's favor. As a reward, she received the glittering crystal ball. Pleased with all his students, the hermit also bestowed Ream Esor with a magic diamond ax and Vorachhun a magic dagger.
Ream Eyso, fueled by jealousy, plotted to seize the crystal ball from Moni Mekhala because he thought he deserved it more. Vorachhun tried to stop him, but Ream Eyso killed the princely manifestation of the earth. After defeating one adversary, he proceeded to find the goddess ready to fight. But the goddess showed compassion instead of anger.
He attacked her with his ax, and she evaded it. Rather than counterattacks, the goddess kept her movements defensive. He continued attacking, and she kept dodging. And when Ream Eyso attempted to grab the crystal ball, Moni Mekhala sent it soaring into the sky, producing dazzling flashes of lightning that temporarily blinded him. The goddess took advantage of it and retreated to hide in the skies.
The demon threw his diamond ax at her, and it cut through the clouds creating thunder. The friction between lightning and thunder caused raindrops to fall. It didn't deter Mekhala and Ream Eyso followed her, chasing her around the world.
The drops of rain revived Vorachhun whose skin glowed like a golden rice field. He picked up his magic dagger and flew into the sky to search for the demon and the goddess.
To this day, the battle between the three former friends continues, thus creating the cycle of lightning, thunder, and rain on the earth.
The Robam Moni Mekhala dance is a cultural expression of this mythical story, capturing the time-old struggle of beauty and darkness, rain and thunder, as the goddess Moni Mekhala fiercely guards her precious crystal ball against the storm demon Ream Eyso. Cambodians see this legend as the origin of thunder, lightning, and rain.
The dance is characterized by slow and graceful movements, symbolizing the calm before the storm, followed by rapid and energetic motions representing the powerful forces of lightning and rain. Dancers often wear elaborate costumes adorned with celestial motifs, reflecting the divine nature of the characters in the legend.
This traditional dance is an integral part of Cambodian culture and is often performed during important ceremonies, celebrations, and classical dance performances. It serves as a testament to Cambodia's rich mythology and artistic heritage.
Preah Ko Preah Keo
Once upon a time, in the land of Cambodia, there lived a poor but honorable man named Meanop. One night, his wife dreamed of three diamonds. He asked a fortune-teller to interpret the dream and was told that his wife would soon give birth to three divine spirits. But until that time, she must not eat green mangoes.
During the next few months, the wife refrained from eating the fruit because Meanop kept a close eye on her. Unfortunately, one day he was away for work, and his wife couldn't resist the craving. She climbed a mango tree to eat the green mangoes. Unfortunately, she fell from the tree, which caused the premature birth of her two sons, also leading to her death.
One of the sons was an ox, who was named Preah Ko. The other son was a man named Preah Keo. Despite the premature birth, their father saved them both. However, the villagers didn't accept them because of the way their mother had died. Hence, they became outcasts.
One day, they decided to play with other children but the children only made fun of them and refused to share food with them. Meanop was away and the brothers were hungry. When Preah Ko saw his brother's hunger, he miraculously produced culinary dishes from his belly. Villagers witnessed this and decided to tie the ox to a kandol tree. They wanted to use him for their own selfish needs.
The two brothers decided to escape their village. Preah Ko, who had more divine powers, asked Preah Koe to grab him by his tail and they flew away into the sky. The tree he was tied to fell killing a few villagers in the process. Meanop, unaware of the fate of his sons, died of grief.
In another version of the legend, the two brothers escape to a forest. Years passed and they became accustomed to living in the forest. There was a pond in the forest where five princesses came to play. Preah Koe joined them and fell in love with the youngest princess, Neang Peou. He stole a kiss from her. The other sisters become jealous.
When the princesses returned to the palace, they relayed this event to their father, the king, who became furious. He ordered the execution of Neang Peou regardless of her mother, Botumea's protests. Later, the god Indra brought her back to life. The spirits led her back to the pond where she was reunited with Preah Koe.
For his brother and the new bride, Preah Ko brought an entire palace out of his stomach and celebrated the marriage between Neang Peou and Preah Koe.
But the story of the two brothers didn't end there. A neighboring Kingdom tried to invade the Kingdom of Cambodia. And their king challenged the Cambodian king to a cockfight between their roosters. But the Cambodian king's rooster was defeated. Then, Preah Ko transformed into a rooster to save their kingdom and won the fight.
The rival king then challenged him to an elephant fight. Preah Ko transformed into an elephant and defeated his rival. To acknowledge this victory, the king of Cambodia gave his kingdom to his daughter, Neang Peou, and her husband Preah Koe. The brothers' lowly birth was forgotten and the entire kingdom accepted them.
A different version of the legend relays how the neighboring Kingdom challenged Preah Ko to a third fight, which was a bullfight. The best craftsman crafted a metal bull. The bull was undefeatable and as Preah Ko fought it, he foresaw his defeat. Instead of continuing the fight, he asked his brother and Neang Peou to grab his tail. The three tried to escape, but Neang Peou fell and died. The god Indra turned her body to stone and brought her soul to paradise.
As for the two brothers, rather than becoming captives of their rival kingdom, they flew off to the land of Phnom Sruoch. After that, their life became a tableau of hide and seek. Finally captured, they were taken to the capital of their rival kingdom, where a special palace with seven walls was built to keep them captive. According to the legend, that's where they remain to this day.
Vorvong and SorvongOn
Once upon a time, in the land of Khmer, two noble princes lived; Vorvong and Sorvong. They shared an unbreakable bond of love and loyalty going beyond blood ties.
The elder brother, Vorvong, possessed wisdom beyond his years. He was not only intelligent but also compassionate. There wasn't a heart he couldn't win with his kindness. The younger brother, Sorvong, was a skilled warrior proficient in wielding every weapon known to mankind. His swordplay was unparalleled and no other warrior could compete with him.
In their kingdom, both princes were loved and respected. To an outsider, it might appear that their lives were perfect, but not all was well. After their mother's death, the king remarried. The new queen was envious of the princes' popularity and the respect they received from everyone. She was her son to have the same status. But he was neither kind nor brave.
In her jealousy, she started poisoning the king against Vorvong and Sorvong. When she became confident of the web of deceit she had woven, she accused them of treason and told the king they plotted to overthrow him. Her lies blinded the king and, in his rage, the king banished the two princes from the kingdom, forbidding them from returning.
With a heavy heart, the brothers left the palace. Their crowns became a thing of history and their expensive robes were changed with tattered clothes. They knew life wouldn't be easy outside the palace and away from home, but they had each other and would face every challenge together. And that was what they did for a while.
Alas, when life becomes unkind, it crosses every line of cruelty. Unfortunately, the brothers couldn't stay together. Circumstances separated them and they wandered the land facing hardships on their own. They battled giants, were betrayed by those they considered friends, and encountered magical beings. They often faced certain deaths only to be saved by the interventions from gods.
After a decade of struggle, Vorvong and Sorvong were reunited to fight their evil stepbrother. Finally, they defeated him and showed the king the truth. Ashamed of the injustice he committed, the king welcomed them back into the palace. And the whole kingdom rejoiced.
With their honor restored and their bond stronger than ever, Vorvong and Sorvong reclaimed their rightful place as the pillars of the realm, their tale a timeless testament to the enduring power of love, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of brotherhood.
That concludes today's discussion about Khmer Mythology. We hope you enjoyed learning about the enchanting myths and legends of Cambodia and how it influences their culture today.
Check out these other articles written by former team members:
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