# Prang (architecture) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Prang_(architecture) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Prang_(architecture).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prang_(architecture) > Source revision: 1317743252 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Tower-like Buddhist architectural element This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Prang" architecture – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The five *prang* towers of [Angkor Wat](/source/Angkor_Wat) in Cambodia. A ***prang*** ([Khmer](/source/Khmer_language): ប្រាង្គ, [UNGEGN](/source/UNGEGN): *brangk*, [ALA-LC](/source/ALA-LC): *prāṅg* [\[praːŋ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Khmer); [Thai](/source/Thai_language): ปรางค์, [RTGS](/source/Royal_Thai_General_System_of_Transcription): **prang** [\[prāːŋ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Thai)) is a tall tower-like [spire](/source/Spire), usually richly carved. They were a common shrine element of [Hindu](/source/Hindu) and [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism) architecture in the [Khmer Empire](/source/Khmer_Empire) (802–1431). They were later adapted by Buddhist builders in [Thailand](/source/Thailand), especially during the [Ayutthaya Kingdom](/source/Ayutthaya_Kingdom) (1350–1767) and [Rattanakosin Kingdom](/source/Rattanakosin_Kingdom) (1782–1932). In Thailand it appears only with the most important Buddhist [temples](/source/Temple). ## Etymology The term *prang* is a compound of the [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) terms *pra-* ('forward, in front') and *aṅga* (limb of the body), with the contacting vowels united by [sandhi](/source/Sandhi).[1] ## 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 [perspective illusion](/source/Visual_illusion) as if the tower is taller than it actually is. The form of the tower is reminiscent of the Indic [shikhara](/source/Shikhara) of Hindu temples, although slightly different in design. On each cardinal point, a *prang* usually has richly adorned [tympanum](/source/Tympanum_(architecture)) and [lintels](/source/Lintel) above doorways or blind doors. The *prang* follows a plan of multiple rectangular corners, which on top of each roof step are adorned with [antefixes](/source/Antefix), which mostly take the theme of multi-headed [Nāgas](/source/N%C4%81ga), [Garudas](/source/Garuda) or deities. ## History ### Khmer temples The central prang of Angkor Wat temple symbolizes the mount [Meru](/source/Mount_Meru_(Mythology)). Originally the Khmer prang temples were for the worship of the [Hindu](/source/Hindu) gods, such as [Shiva](/source/Shiva) and [Vishnu](/source/Vishnu). The space within the prang tower, the [cella](/source/Cella), was relatively small for two reasons: 1. 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). 1. 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](/source/Mandapa). Over the cubic cella rose the central tower, the [bud](/source/Bud)-shaped prang, modeled after the cosmic mountain [Meru](/source/Mount_Meru_(Mythology)), crowned by a top stone in form of a [lotus](/source/Lotus_(plant)) bud. The Khmer prangs resembled north Indian temples' [shikhara](/source/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](/source/Angkor_Wat) and [Angkor Thom](/source/Angkor_Thom). ### Thai temples Wat Arun, a "modern" Thai style prang. The first prangs in Thailand were built in [Phimai](/source/Phimai) and [Khao Phnom Rung](/source/Phanom_Rung_historical_park) and [Lopburi](/source/Phra_Prang_Sam_Yot) between the early 10th century and the late 12th century, when the [Khmer](/source/Khmer_people) kingdom was dominant. After the [Khmer Empire](/source/Khmer_Empire) collapsed, the Thai building masters of the [Sukhothai Kingdom](/source/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 Mahathat](/source/Wat_Phra_Si_Rattana_Mahathat) in [Phitsanulok](/source/Phitsanulok). Later developments of the Prang suggested the cella only. The entrance door became a niche, in which was placed the [*Buddharupa* (Buddha statue)](/source/Buddharupa), 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](/source/Trishul_(weapon)), the "weapon of [Indra](/source/Indra)". A "more modern" Prang is a slim construction, like an ear of corn. The best example is [Wat Arun](/source/Wat_Arun), the Khmer style landmark of [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok).[2] Also [Wat Phra Kaeo](/source/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](/source/Wat_Pho) in [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok), and the five Prangs in [Wat Pichayart](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wat_Pichayart&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Thonburi](/source/Thonburi). ## See also - [Pyatthat](/source/Pyatthat) - [Candi of Indonesia](/source/Candi_of_Indonesia) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-headley_1-0)** Headley, Robert K.; Kylin Chhor; Lam Kheng Lim; Lim Hak Kheang; Chen Chun (1977). [*Cambodian-English Dictionary*](http://sealang.net/khmer/). Catholic University Press. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [https://thaiunikatravel.com/attraction/wat-arun-temple/](https://thaiunikatravel.com/attraction/wat-arun-temple/) ## Literature Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Prangs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Prangs). - Rita Ringis: *Thai Temples And Temple Murals*. Oxford University Press 1990, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-588933-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-588933-9) - K.I. Matics: *Introduction To The Thai Temple*. White Lotus Bangkok 1992, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [974-8495-42-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/974-8495-42-6) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Prang (architecture)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prang_(architecture)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prang_(architecture)?action=history)). 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