The hemaraj ( th, เหมราช) is a creature found in
Thai and possibly
South Asia
South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical
Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth descr ...
n mythology.
It is said to be the combination of a ''hem'' (an ill-defined creature in and of itself; usually likened to a
swan but sometimes depicted more like a
crocodile) and a lion.
[Public sign erected by the Thailand government's Fine Art Department explaining the archaeological discoveries at Wat Nanchang, Wiang Kum Kam, northern Thailand and photographed in August 2014.]
See also
*
Wat Nanchang, an archaeological site in northern Thailand at which a stucco hemaraj was discovered.
References
{{Asia-myth-stub
Thai legendary creatures