Meaning of the 7 Buddha Postures in Thai Temples
What They Represent
There are seven main Buddha postures in Thai culture—one (or sometimes two) for each day of the week. These are known as the 7 Buddha Postures for the Days of the Week, and each has a unique meaning based on a significant moment in the Buddha’s life. If you’ve visited a Thai temple (called a Wat), you may have seen a row of Buddha statues in different poses: standing, sitting, or reclining. In many temples, seven or eight statues are placed side by side, often with small donation bowls in front of them.
Many visitors see these statues without realising what they represent. Each one is linked to a specific day of the week and reflects an important story or teaching from the life of the Buddha. According to Thai tradition, you should pay respect to the Buddha image that corresponds to the day you were born. While there are more than seven known Buddha postures, these weekly ones are the most commonly seen in temples in Bangkok or Temples in Phuket. During our research around Phuket, we even came across some slight variations in explanations and statue styles.
A bit of background: the Buddha was a spiritual teacher who lived in what is now northern India around the 5th century BCE. He is considered the founder of Buddhism and is honoured as someone who reached full enlightenment—a state of deep understanding and liberation from suffering. In Buddhist art and temple rituals, the Buddha is often shown in different poses and hand gestures called mudras. These gestures have symbolic meanings, reflecting moments in his life, stages of his journey, or teachings he shared with his followers. They’re a key part of Buddhist visual culture, especially in Thailand, where Buddha postures play an important role in temple layouts and daily worship.
Buddha Postures and days of the week
In Thai culture, there are 40 recognised Buddha postures, each showing a different moment from the Buddha’s life. These include poses such as sitting in meditation, standing in contemplation, reclining during rest, or walking in reflection. Each one carries a symbolic message linked to a story or teaching in Buddhism. Among these, the most well-known set is the 7 Buddha Postures for the Days of the Week. These specific postures are linked to the day you were born and are often displayed in Thai temples to help visitors and locals make merit, reflect, and show respect. Some temples include an eighth posture for those born on a Wednesday night, which is treated separately from the daytime version.
Here is a quick overview of the 7 (plus one) daily Buddha postures and their meanings:
- Sunday: Meditating Buddha – The Buddha in peaceful contemplation.
- Monday: Pacifying the Relatives – Standing Buddha with one hand raised in reassurance.
- Tuesday: Reclining Buddha – Symbolises rest and the Buddha’s entry into Nirvana.
- Wednesday (Daytime): Receiving Alms – Buddha holding a bowl.
- Wednesday (Nighttime): Retreat in the Forest – Buddha with an elephant and a monkey offering gifts.
- Thursday: Meditating Buddha – Seated in deep meditation, palms up in the Dhyani Mudra.
- Friday: Contemplating Buddha – Standing posture with arms crossed in reflection.
- Saturday: Protected by the Naga – Buddha seated, sheltered by the seven-headed serpent.
Each of these postures represents a significant part of the Buddha’s journey and reflects values like wisdom, peace, compassion, and strength. In the next sections, we’ll explain the meaning and story behind each one.
Sunday Buddha Posture
Pang Thawai Net (“Seven Days Looking”)
symbolising gratitude and great blessing
Sunday Birth Personality
If you were born on a Sunday, Thai beliefs say you are:- Respectable, wise, and well-liked by family and friends
- Likely to succeed in a professional career
- Lucky Day: Wednesday
- Unlucky Day: Friday
- Lucky Colour: Green
- Unlucky Colour: Blue
Monday Buddha Posture
Pang Ham Yati (“Pacifying the Relatives”)
symbolising reassurance and emotional strength
The Monday Buddha posture shows the Buddha standing with his right hand raised to shoulder height, palm facing outward, and fingers extended. This is known as the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of reassurance, peace, and protection. In Thai tradition, this posture is called Pang Ham Yati, which means Pacifying the Relatives. This posture represents a story in which the Buddha returned from the heavenly realms after three months. During his return, a dispute had broken out among his relatives over the right to water passing through their lands. To prevent conflict, the Buddha calmly advised them to seek compromise and mutual understanding. This moment symbolises the importance of resolving disagreements through wisdom and calm communication.
Monday Birth Personality
If you were born on a Monday, Thai beliefs say you are:
- Serious, thoughtful, and blessed with a strong memory
- Likely to enjoy travel and skilled work
- Lucky Day: Saturday
- Unlucky Day: Sunday
- Lucky Colour: Black
- Unlucky Colour: Orange
Tuesday Buddha Posture
Tuesday Buddha Posture – Pang Sai Yat (“Realising Nirvana”)
representing tranquility and detachment
The Tuesday Buddha posture shows the Buddha lying on his right side, head resting on his hand, and toes aligned. This reclining position represents the Buddha during his final moments before entering Nirvana, the state of ultimate liberation. In Thai tradition, it is known as Pang Sai Yat, meaning Realising Nirvana. One version of this story tells of the Buddha’s stay in Savatthi, where he encountered Asura Rahu, a proud and powerful spirit who refused to show respect. To teach him humility, the Buddha expanded his size and lay down in this calm reclining position. The powerful display of wisdom and composure humbled Asura Rahu, who then accepted the Buddha’s teachings. This posture is often misunderstood as simply representing death, but in Thai Buddhism, it symbolises peace, acceptance, and the completion of the spiritual journey.
Tuesday Birth Personality
If you were born on a Tuesday, Thai beliefs say you are:
- Brave, determined, and action-oriented
- Likely to work in the services or security sectors
- Lucky Day: Thursday
- Unlucky Day: Monday
- Lucky Colour: Yellow
- Unlucky Colour: White
Wednesday Buddha Posture
Pang Umbat (Receiving Alms)
indicating generosity and compassion
The Wednesday Buddha posture depicts the Buddha standing and holding an alms bowl with both hands in front of him. This position represents a meaningful event: when the Buddha returned to his hometown after four years of travelling and teaching. Early each morning, Buddhist monks walk barefoot through the streets to collect food offerings from local people—a practice called Pindabat. The Buddha did the same. But when his father saw him “begging” for food, he was shocked and disapproving. The Buddha explained that this was not begging, but a noble tradition followed by all Buddhas—to allow people to make merit by giving freely. This act symbolises humility, equality, and connection between monks and laypeople. In Thai tradition, this posture is known as Pang Umbat, and it’s especially meaningful for those born on a Wednesday morning or evening, as each is believed to reflect different personality traits.
Wednesday Birth Personality
If born on a Wednesday morning:
- Polite, emotional, artistic, and often creative in work
- Lucky Time: Wednesday night
- Lucky Colour: Green
- Unlucky Day: Tuesday
- Unlucky Colour: Pink
If born on a Wednesday evening:
- Hardworking, calm, and honest, likely to be in a structured profession
- Lucky Day: Monday
- Lucky Colour: White
- Unlucky Day: Thursday
- Unlucky Colour: Yellow
Thursday Buddha Posture
Pang Samti (“The Meditating Buddha”)
signifying inner stillness and enlightenment
The Thursday Buddha posture shows the Buddha sitting in the full lotus position, with both soles facing upward and hands resting in his lap. The right hand lies on top of the left, palms facing up, forming the Dhyani Mudra—a gesture of deep meditation. In Thai temples, this position is called Pang Samti, which means The Meditating Buddha. This posture represents the moment before the Buddha reached enlightenment under the Banyan tree. After receiving a bundle of grass from a follower named Sotthiya, he laid it down to make a seat and vowed to remain there until he achieved full enlightenment. He famously declared:
“Skin, sinew and bone may dry up as they will, my flesh and blood may dry in my body, but without attaining completed enlightenment, I will not leave this seat.”
With that determination, he reached enlightenment, entering a state of complete understanding and liberation from suffering. This posture symbolises inner peace, discipline, and focus. The Buddha’s calm expression and stillness are reminders of the mental strength required for spiritual progress.
Thursday Birth Personality
If you were born on a Thursday, Thai tradition says you are:
- Calm, peaceful, and honest
- Often drawn to teaching, law, or roles involving wisdom and fairness
- Lucky Day: Sunday
- Unlucky Day: Saturday
- Lucky Colour: Orange
- Unlucky Colour: Black
Friday Buddha Posture
Pang Ram Pueng (“Contemplating Buddha”)
representing reflection and inner peace
The Friday Buddha posture shows the Buddha standing with both arms crossed over the chest, the right hand gently covering the left. This gesture reflects a moment of quiet contemplation following his enlightenment, while he rested under the Banyan tree. During this time, the Buddha reflected on the Dharma—the truth he had discovered—and expressed concern that it was too complex for most people to understand or follow. He hesitated to teach, thinking the path to Nirvana was too subtle and difficult for ordinary minds to grasp.
He said:
“This Dharma that I have found is profound, hard to see, and hard to understand; it is peaceful, sublime, beyond the sphere of mere reasoning… but this generation delights in attachment, making it hard to see the truth.”
Despite these doubts, his compassion led him to share the Dharma with others, realising that people, like lotus flowers, bloom at different depths. Some would be ready to understand—even if others were not. This posture, known in Thai as Pang Ram Pueng, symbolises introspection, wisdom, and compassion. It reminds followers to reflect deeply and consider when and how to share knowledge with others.
Friday Birth Personality
If you were born on a Friday, Thai belief suggests you are:
- Friendly, sociable, and ambitious
- Often drawn to public roles or creative work
- Lucky Day: Tuesday
- Unlucky Time: Wednesday night
- Lucky Colour: Pink
- Unlucky Colour: Light Green
Saturday Buddha Posture
Pang Nak Prok (“Protected by the Naga King”)
symbolising resilience and spiritual protection
The Saturday Buddha posture shows the Buddha seated in full lotus meditation on the coiled body of the Naga King Muchalinda, with the serpent’s multiple heads forming a hood above him. This dramatic and symbolic posture is called Pang Nak Prok in Thai, meaning Protected by the Naga. This image represents an event during the sixth week after the Buddha’s enlightenment. As he meditated under a tree, a great storm broke out. The Naga King emerged from the earth, wrapped his coils beneath the Buddha to lift him above the rising floodwaters, and spread his multi-headed hood above him to shield him from the rain. This posture symbolises protection, resilience, and spiritual focus in the face of hardship. It’s a powerful reminder that inner peace can remain steady even during external chaos.
Saturday Birth Personality and Beliefs
If you were born on a Saturday, Thai belief says you are:
- Calm, logical, and slightly reserved
- Often skilled in hands-on or technical work
- Lucky Day: Friday
- Unlucky Day: Wednesday (daytime)
- Lucky Colour: Blue
- Unlucky Colour: Green
Click here if you would like to know more about meditation in Thailand
The 7 Buddha postures for the days of the week are more than just beautiful statues in Thai temples. Each posture represents a moment in the Buddha’s life and carries a deeper meaning, connected to values like peace, gratitude, wisdom, and determination. In Thai tradition, these images also reflect the personality and destiny of people based on the day they were born.
When visiting a temple in Thailand, it’s common for locals to place a coin in front of the Buddha statue for their birth day and offer a short prayer. This simple act is believed to bring good fortune and a reminder of personal strengths. Whether you’re Buddhist or just curious about Thai culture, understanding these postures gives more meaning to what you see during your travels.
If you don’t know the day of the week you were born, it’s easy to check online or ask a local—they might even tell you what kind of person you are, just based on that.
Temples of Bangkok
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This page was first published in April 2016
