Thailand's most sacred statue is not made of emerald, but of grey-green jasper

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Perched high above visitors in a Bangkok temple, the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's national palladium. Despite its name, the 66-centimetre figurine is carved from a single piece of jasper. Its history is a blend of myth and documented travel, spanning centuries of movement across Southeast Asia before finding its permanent home.

The Emerald Buddha, or Phra Kaew Morakot, is an image of the meditating Siddharta Gautama. Standing 66 centimetres tall and 48.3 centimetres wide at the lap, the statue is elevated on a nine-metre pedestal within the ubosoth of Wat Phra Kaew. While the name implies a precious gemstone, the figure is actually carved from grey-green jasper, a material sourced from Africa or India. Since 1784 CE, the statue has been housed in Bangkok, where it is adorned in seasonal gold clothing by the reigning monarch.

The statue's origins remain a subject of historical debate. A legendary account, detailed in the 15th-century Chronicle of the Emerald Buddha, claims it was created in 43 BCE in Pataliputra, India, by a monk named Nagasena with divine assistance. However, many art historians suggest a more grounded origin, noting that the statue's style aligns with the 15th-century Chiang Saen or Chiang Mai schools of northern Thailand. Some researchers point to stylistic similarities with southern Indian or Sri Lankan imagery, though the statue has never undergone scientific analysis to confirm its composition or exact provenance.

The figurine entered the historical record in 1434 CE when lightning struck a chedi in Chiang Rai, revealing the statue hidden behind stucco. Following its discovery, the Emerald Buddha became a symbol of political legitimacy, travelling through the Lanna kingdom, Laos, and eventually to Siam. General Chao Phraya Chakri, later King Rama I, brought the statue to his new capital in Bangkok in 1779 CE. Today, it remains a central icon of Thai culture, serving as the site where monarchs swear oaths of loyalty and politicians traditionally affirm their innocence when facing accusations of corruption.

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