พิธีหลั่งน้ำพระพุทธมนต์ (Water pouring)
The water pouring is the most important part of the Thai wedding ceremony as during this part the couple officially become husband (สามี [saa-mee]) and wife (ภรรยา [pan-ra-ya]). Traditionally, this was all that was required to validify the marriage, but nowadays the couple are also required to obtain a marriage certificate (ทะเบียนสมรส [ta-bian som-rot]) from the Amper or local registration office.
Before the water pouring can take place the couple must seat themselves at the traditional water pouring tables (ตั่งรดน้ำ [Dtang Rot Naam]), with the bride to the left of the grrom. They will each have a ceremonial headdress (มงคล [Mong Kol]) , made from one piece of cotton to signify the joining of the couple, placed upon their heads. The Mong Kol will have previously been blessed by the Buddhist monks earlier in the wedding.
The couple will be fully prepared for the water pouring to commence once they place both hands (palms together), overhanging the water pouring table and positioned above flowers that have been arranged in a water tray, to capture the water that runs off.
Each of the elder guests in turn will take the ceremonial water pouring conch shell (สังข์รดน้ำ [Sang Rot Naam]), which has been freshly filled with holy water from the Buddhist ceremony, and pour a trickle of water from the base of the thumb to the fingertips over first the groom’s and then the bride.
This is so lovely. I came here because I am watching the Thai drama series: Until We Meet Again on Youtube and in episode 12 at part 1, clock 11:11, the monk says the couple should make an offering and perform the pouring water ceremony. This is a marvelous reference.
I am sorry, the scene with this quote actually begins at 10:40 of part 1, of episode 12.
https://youtu.be/wxA1IoZ17ek?t=641
That’s the same reason I came to this site!
I came to this site after watching this drama too… really nice tradition.
Wow! I am happy to hear that you found my site. I have never seen this drama series before. I should check it out. Thank you for reading my post. 🙂
Found this site as well after watching the aforementioned scene from Until We Meet Again. The ceremony sounds very lovely.
Hello mod. A work colleague (Australian man with Maltese heritage) is marrying his beautiful Thai bride in a few weeks here on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia. I would love to do something traditionally Thai for them …I’m thinking a traditional good luck ceremony … Or a nice reading I could learn for them and read in Thai at the wedding ? Any suggestions would be wonderful. I’m sorry to bother you x
Very interesting.
PS – Third line, second paragraph, you mistakenly wrote “grrom”, it should be “groom”!
Kop Kun Ka, Calvin.