พระราหู
Rahu
羅睺
Phra Rahu is depicted in a uniquely terrifying form as a giant disembodied head — the body cut away below the neck by Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra in the mythological narrative. His complexion is deep black or midnight blue, and his enormous open mouth appears ready to devour the sun or moon. He wears a formidable crown of demonic aspect and his expression is fierce and hungry. In Thai iconography he is sometimes shown with a full serpentine or dragon body, and in some depictions he holds weapons in multiple arms. He is placed facing outward from a property to repel evil, and worshippers approach him with dark offerings to convert his threatening energy into protective power.
Role 職能
Phra Rahu is the shadow planet and eclipse deity, the severed head of the demon Svarbhanu who periodically swallows the sun and moon to cause solar and lunar eclipses. In Thai astrology and Brahmanical practice, Rahu is a powerful and feared malefic force governing karma, destiny, illusion, and hidden enemies — yet when properly propitiated he grants protection from black magic, reverses misfortune, and shields devotees from malevolent spiritual forces.
Thai Significance 泰式意義
In Thai folk religion and astrology, Phra Rahu commands considerable fearful reverence. Many Thais who have Rahu prominently placed in their horoscopes, or who have experienced a string of misfortunes, will visit Rahu shrines — most famously at Wat Traimit in Bangkok and certain provincial temples — to make the distinctive all-black offerings that appease his ravenous, eclipsing nature. The Rahu amulet (takrut Rahu) is one of the most powerful protective charms in Thai magic, worn to deflect curses, counter black magic, and neutralise the effects of powerful enemies. Wednesday evening worship of Rahu is a widespread Thai practice, particularly among those involved in competitive or dangerous occupations.
Vedic Significance 吠陀意義
In Vedic astrology (Jyotish), Rahu is one of the two shadow planets (Chaya Grahas) — the other being Ketu — representing the ascending and descending lunar nodes respectively. Rahu is considered a powerful malefic planet associated with karma, illusion (maya), material obsession, foreign influence, and sudden reversals of fortune. The mythological origin of Rahu is found in the Puranic account of the churning of the cosmic ocean: the demon Svarbhanu disguised himself among the gods to drink the amrita (nectar of immortality), but Vishnu severed his head before the nectar passed below his neck. The immortal head became Rahu and the tail became Ketu, and together they take periodic revenge by swallowing the sun and moon.
Symbols 象徵
Offerings 供品
- •black sesame seeds
- •black sticky rice
- •black coconut
- •charcoal
- •dark-coloured fruits
- •black sesame oil
- •black sweets
- •nine types of black food
- •dark flower garlands
Prayers & Occasions 祈禱時機
- ▸protection from black magic and malevolent spirits
- ▸reversal of bad luck and misfortune
- ▸averting eclipse-related ill omens
- ▸overcoming hidden enemies
- ▸protection from accidents and sudden calamity
- ▸neutralising the effects of karmic debt
- ▸astrological remediation for Rahu afflictions