? Tuesday Teachings ? ➡️ The Mongkon ⬅️
Synonymous with Muay Thai is the Mongkon. Worn on the head of fighters prior to competition, the Mongkon holds great importance to teachers, students and their gym. A Mongkon is typically adorned with various materials and items which can include, amongst other things, material with a sentimental value to a trainer or fighter, Pha Yant (a sprititual cloth), amulets and more.
For those new to Muay Thai, you will notice the Mongkon is worn during the Wai Khru Ram Muay, a pre-fight dance/ritual. A fighter will then receive a pre-fight blessing and the Mongkon removed and placed high on the corner of the ring prior to the fight starting.
A Mongkon is often one of the most respected items of a Muay Thai gym, as can be seen by its pride of place in the gym and the respect shown to its handling and placement.
The Muay U Mongkon was created using a hand woven Pha Kao Ma/Pakama (a Thai multipurpose loincloth), an amulet depicting Hanuman (The Monkey General, regarded for his strength and power and depicted often in Thai culture in the Ramakien – an important part of Thai literature derived from the Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic) and various Pha Yant. It is circled by hand written Yant and has been blessed in Thailand and here in Australia by Theravada Buddhist Monks.
This info piece was posted on Tuesday 5 November on the Muay U Facebook poge. Check us out at facebook.com/muayucanberra.
