{{Short description|Tower-like Buddhist architectural element}} {{italic title}} {{More citations needed|date=December 2007}} [[File:Angkor Wat reflejado en un estanque 02.jpg|thumb|300px|The five ''prang'' towers of [[Angkor Wat]] in Cambodia.]] A '''''prang''''' ({{langx|km|ប្រាង្គ}}, [[UNGEGN]]: {{Transliteration|km|brangk}}, [[ALA-LC]]: {{Transliteration|km|prāṅg}} {{IPA|km|praːŋ|}}; {{langx|th|ปรางค์}}, {{RTGS|''prang''}} {{IPA|th|prāːŋ|}}) is a tall tower-like [[spire]], usually richly carved. They were a common shrine element of [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] architecture in the [[Khmer Empire]] (802–1431). They were later adapted by Buddhist builders in [[Thailand]], especially during the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] (1350–1767) and [[Rattanakosin Kingdom]] (1782–1932). In Thailand it appears only with the most important Buddhist [[temple]]s.
==Etymology== The term ''prang'' is a compound of the [[Sanskrit]] terms ''pra-'' ('forward, in front') and ''aṅga'' (limb of the body), with the contacting vowels united by [[sandhi]].<ref name="headley">{{cite book|last=Headley|first=Robert K. |author2=Kylin Chhor |author3=Lam Kheng Lim |author4=Lim Hak Kheang |author5=Chen Chun|title=Cambodian-English Dictionary|publisher=Catholic University Press|date=1977|url=http://sealang.net/khmer/}}</ref>
==Structure== A ''Prang'' tower takes the form of a multi-tiered structure with receding size as it ascends. The receding size of almost identical roof structures of the stepped pyramidal tower, creates a [[visual illusion|perspective illusion]] as if the tower is taller than it actually is. The form of the tower is reminiscent of the Indic [[shikhara]] of Hindu temples, although slightly different in design. On each cardinal point, a ''prang'' usually has richly adorned [[tympanum (architecture)|tympanum]] and [[lintel]]s above doorways or blind doors. The ''prang'' follows a plan of multiple rectangular corners, which on top of each roof step are adorned with [[antefix]]es, which mostly take the theme of multi-headed [[Nāga]]s, [[Garuda]]s or deities.
==History==
===Khmer temples=== [[File:Central Tower AngkorWat0767.jpg|thumb|right|The central prang of Angkor Wat temple symbolizes the mount [[Mount Meru (Mythology)|Meru]].]] Originally the Khmer prang temples were for the worship of the [[Hindu]] gods, such as [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]]. The space within the prang tower, the [[cella]], was relatively small for two reasons: # The rituals which were held in them were reserved for a small elite (in the capital of the Khmer only the god king could enter the shrine). # The technology of the Khmer could not yet make large airy halls. (Ringis, 1990)
The cella was entered via a small porch, usually aligned to the east, which was called the [[Mandapa]]. Over the cubic cella rose the central tower, the [[bud]]-shaped prang, modeled after the cosmic mountain [[Mount Meru (Mythology)|Meru]], crowned by a top stone in form of a [[lotus (plant)|lotus]] bud.
The Khmer prangs resembled north Indian temples' [[shikhara]] and rekha (temple towers) elements. The early 10th century and the late 12th century prangs in Thailand were influenced by the Khmer architects of the great temple complexes of [[Angkor Wat]] and [[Angkor Thom]].
===Thai temples=== [[File:Flickr - Shinrya - Wat Arun HDR.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Wat Arun, a "modern" Thai style prang.]] The first prangs in Thailand were built in [[Phimai]] and [[Phanom Rung historical park|Khao Phnom Rung]] and [[Phra Prang Sam Yot|Lopburi]] between the early 10th century and the late 12th century, when the [[Khmer people|Khmer]] kingdom was dominant.
After the [[Khmer Empire]] collapsed, the Thai building masters of the [[Sukhothai Kingdom]] adapted the Prang form. They extended and developed it. The building material was no more separate small sandstone blocks, instead the Thais built the Prang in brick or laterite covered with stucco. And the cella could be reached only by stairs. An example for this is the Prang of the [[Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat|Wat Mahathat]] in [[Phitsanulok]]. Later developments of the Prang suggested the cella only. The entrance door became a niche, in which was placed the [[Buddharupa|''Buddharupa'' (Buddha statue)]], which had originally taken the central position inside. For reasons of symmetry the niche was repeated on all four sides. On its pinnacle was a [[Trishul (weapon)|Trishul]], the "weapon of [[Indra]]".
A "more modern" Prang is a slim construction, like an ear of corn. The best example is [[Wat Arun]], the Khmer style landmark of [[Bangkok]].<ref>https://thaiunikatravel.com/attraction/wat-arun-temple/</ref> Also [[Wat Phra Kaeo]] has six thin Prangs arranged in a row. Another example is the four Prangs arranged in all four directions around [[Wat Pho]] in [[Bangkok]], and the five Prangs in [[Wat Pichayart]] in [[Thonburi]].
==See also== *[[Pyatthat]] *[[Candi of Indonesia]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==Literature== {{commons category|Prangs}}
*Rita Ringis: ''Thai Temples And Temple Murals''. Oxford University Press 1990, {{ISBN|0-19-588933-9}} *K.I. Matics: ''Introduction To The Thai Temple''. White Lotus Bangkok 1992, {{ISBN|974-8495-42-6}}
[[Category:Buddhist buildings and structures]] [[Category:Buddhist architecture]] [[Category:Architecture in Cambodia]] [[Category:Architecture in Thailand]] [[Category:Roofs]] [[Category:Towers]]