''Thepphanom'' or ''thephanom'' ( th, เทพนม, ) is a

Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode block ...

term referring to the depiction in paintings or traditional Thai patterns of a ''

devata ''Devata'' (pl: ''devatas'', meaning 'the gods') (Devanagari: देवता; Khmer: ទេវតា (''tevoda''); Thai: เทวดา (''tevada''); Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese, Malay: ''dewata''; Batak languages: ''debata'' (Toba) ...

'' performing the ''

Añjali Mudrā Añjali Mudrā ( sa, अञ्जलि मुद्रा), is a hand gesture mainly associated with Indian religions and arts, encountered throughout Asia and beyond. It is a part of Indian classical dance postures such as Bharatanatyam, yoga p ...

'' hand gesture. The term is also the name of moves in ''

muay Thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...

'' and

traditional Thai dance Dance in Thailand ( th, นาฏศิลป์, or th, นาฏกรรม, ) is the main dramatic art form in Thailand. Thai dance can be divided into two major categories, high art ( classical dance) and low art ( folk dance). Overview ...

. Thephanom also refers to an angel or deity who is a temple protector and guardian. They are often represented as a pair, a brother and a sister, kneeling on both knees with hands at the wai position, praying or offering respect. The Thepanom first came to earth when Buddha reached enlightenment. They became Buddha's protector, then guardian of religious temples and artifacts such as scrolls. The definition of Thepanom was arrived at by reading descriptions of Thepanom statues and communicating with Thai people.

References

Buddhist mythology Thai art Thai dance Tutelary deities {{Thailand-stub