Kranok pattern (, ) is a Thai motif pattern. It appears in many Thai artworks such as

Tripiṭaka There are several Buddhist canons, which refers to the various scriptural collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures or the various Buddhist scriptural canons.

cabinets, the doors of Thai temples, and coffins. According to the

Royal Institute Dictionary The ''Royal Institute Dictionary'' (RID; , , ) is the official and Linguistic prescription, prescriptive dictionary of Thai language, published by the Royal Society of Thailand. The Royal Society of Thailand has published four fully revised edi ...

in 1982, Kranok refers to a pattern of lines. However, when it is written as Kanok, it means gold. The pattern basically repeats

right triangles A right triangle or right-angled triangle, sometimes called an orthogonal triangle or rectangular triangle, is a triangle in which two sides are perpendicular, forming a right angle ( turn or 90 degrees). The side opposite to the right angle is ...

. The triangles may be the same size or different sizes. Often one point of each triangle goes in the same direction. In the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

language Kra-nok means thorns.

History

Lai Thai pattern

The Thai pattern is inspired from nature, such as the Lotus,

Jasmine Jasmine (botanical name: ''Jasminum'', pronounced ) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family of Oleaceae. It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Jasmines are wid ...

, Java Cassia, and Sea Iceland Cotton

Lai Kranok pattern

The prototype of Lai Kranok is from the character of flame. The sacred lotus is the original of Kranok Sam-Tua and is the motif of other Kranok. In the past masters prescribed another name Kra-nok that means birds and woods (''Dong Nok Dong Mai'') that were created from nature. That can be spelled “Kor-Nok” but degenerate “O” vowel. A later generation called is Kra-Nok.

Purpose

Thai patterns are to be used in religious institutions and the monarchy. The patterns decorate buildings and utensils such as a church, pavilion, palace, clothing, and ornaments.

Template

Notch

Every Kranok features as notch or bezel. The notch divides the enveloping line equally. The notch can cut in or out. The cut-in notch has a character similar to the lotus petal bud. The petal line bends into the flower. The depth is about half of the notch. The cut-out notch has a character similar to the petal of the lotus bloom. The petal line bends away from the flower.

Apex

The apex of Kranok is its most important feature. If the body has the perfect proportion but the apex is too strong, the pattern is destroyed.

Yhuk

To make the Kranok line look strong and lively, many artists draw the Yhuk (หยัก) shape. It looks like a small triangle with a curve. Yhuk is located on the side of the triangle. The spaces between each Yuk must be even. The top part of the triangle in the Kranok pattern is called Yaud Kranok (ยอดกระหนก).

Types

Subtypes of Kranok pattern include: * Kranok Sam Thua (กระหนกสามตัว) * Kranok Plaew (กระหนกเปลว) * Kranok Bai Tet (กระหนกใบเทศ) * Kranok Pak Kud (กระหนกผักกูด) * Kranok Kor (กระหนกกอ) * Kranok Hang-Hong (กระหนกหางหงส์)

Kranok Pattern in Artworks

One of the most famous Kranok artwork is the

Tripitaka There are several Buddhist canons, which refers to the various scriptural collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures or the various Buddhist scriptural canons.

cabinet (Thai: ตู้พระไตรปิฎก), which can be found in most of Buddhist temples in Thailand. Bangkok wat tri thotsathep 006

The Kranok pattern can be used in many Thai designs. It is shown in general Thai artwork depending on the imagination of the artist. For example, in Thai painting and Thai carving, the delicate designs and gorgeous details are shown.

References

Chobchit, S. (n.d.). ลายไทย. Retrieved from google: https://sites.google.com/site/thailandsart/2 {{reflist Thai art