The Kingdom of Ava believed symbolic angels (nats) allowed them to communicate with the heavens. These animistic figures were advocates to Buddha, used in ritualistic prayers to gain fortune, healing, and securing their kingdoms prosperity. The animals associated with the lives of Buddha were highest revered, each having a ceremonial use and significant moral story. The angels essentially contributed to every aspect of life in Ava, acting as a moral compass and guide to the will of Buddha.
A variety of different religious ideologies traveled the direction of Ava. Religious practices from as far as Persia, India, China, and beyond influenced their view of the supernatural. The continuation of their worship in animist figures can be found in modern astrological signs. Myanmar uses their own weekly planetary calendar (Wednesday is split into AM and PM). Each planet is carried by a specific animal representing their traits in local folklore. The calendar is frequent around stupas and temples, thus contributing to the framework and overwhelming evidence of the symbolism and use of animistic figures in Myanmar. Influences that transcended cultural boundaries found its way to Myanmar's Pyu millennium, then to Pagans Andagu period, and then Ava kingdom. The heart of the three most recognizable Burmese empires sharing the same spiritual foundation, "Angels."
ARTIFACTS / SYMBOLISM
Ava Kingdom's
Royal Angel Weights
Ratanapura kingdoms Angel Weights, antiquities and treasures defines historical origins with a preponderance of physical evidences. This denouement brings ancient dignity to modern interpretations, myths, speculations and origins of such things as Burmese weights in ancient times. Myanmar's historical cultural heritage defined with physical evidence, their symbolism is reborn.
Ratanapuras "Ava" diaries dictate: King Anawrahta of Pagan Period was the first to use flat disk weights in Myanmar. A practice learned from Indian traders using a scale tree with flat disk weights as they bartered with the Burmese. The origins of Angel weights evolved from India's commercial uses to Pagan's symbolized disk weights (pictured below), then to Angel Statues (pictured above) of Ava's first Kingdom. Ava profoundly proclaimed their Angel Statues are not just "weights," but also symbols of the heart of Ava's first kingdom, their ANGELS." Ancient artifacts, historical works of art each portraying significant symbolisms, markings and meanings. Further information found in Featured: Angel Disk Weights