About Commemorative Medal for the Tonsure Ceremony of Prince Maha Vajiravudh (King Vajiravudh, Rama VI)
Compiled from partner sources; under review and editing by our team.
Translated from Thai by AI and not yet reviewed by our team. Names and royal titles may need correction.
History
This is a commemorative medal for the royal auspicious ceremony of the tonsure (Sokan) of Prince Maha Vajiravudh, who had reached the age of 13, in R.S. 111 (1892), held from 25 December to 31 December 1892 (B.E. 2435). The topknot-cutting register, which records the names of those whose topknots King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) cut, states: "Thursday, 11th waning (?) day, 2nd month (?), Year of the Dragon, fourth year of the decade, R.S. 25, Chula Sakarat 1254 (B.E. 2435): the Great Tonsure at Mount Kailasa in the Grand Palace." It was the 23rd occasion of the royal tonsure ceremony and the 100th person in the sequence.
The ceremony began on 25 December, when King Chulalongkorn listened to the chanting of prayers and then went to view Mount Kailasa, a model mountain made of woven bamboo, covered with tin, and coated with gold, silver and nak (a gold-copper alloy). Electric lights were installed along the paths up and down and on the mountain slopes, so that it appeared splendid and brilliantly lit at night. Around the foot of the mountain were mechanical figures depicting scenes from the Ramakien and various dramas, arranged for entertainment; these were made by princes and nobles as an offering in gratitude to the King. Mount Kailasa was built at the ceremonial site, on the lawn in front of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
In addition, for this royal ceremony the King graciously commanded that all those who cultivated ornamental plants bring their plants to be displayed in a competition, as decorative adornments. A committee ("committee") was appointed to judge and award prizes, and the prizes bestowed were medals bearing the name of the Prince, with an inscription recording the auspicious Tonsure Ceremony of R.S. 111, in gilt, silver and copper respectively. Further information can be found in the Royal Gazette (Ratchakitchanubeksa), Volume 9, Issue 40, dated 1 January R.S. 111 (and in the article on the plant competition of the reign of Rama V, B.E. 2435, by Mr. Anek Nawigamune).
The medal shown here is of gilt silver and has a rather thick rim, as pictured.
Mount Kailasa at the Tonsure Ceremony in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
Prince Maha Vajiravudh in ceremonial dress while attending the chanting of Buddhist prayers.
Design
- Obverse
- The national coat of arms, with the inscription around the rim: "สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกยาเธอ เจ้าฟ้ามหาวชิราวุธ กรมขุนเทพทวาราวดี" (Prince Maha Vajiravudh, Krom Khun Thep Thawarawadi).
- Reverse
- A garland of flowers encircling the central inscription: "การพระราชพิธีมหามงคล กาลโสกันต์ เขาไกรลาศ รัตนโกสินทรศก ๒๕" (The Royal Auspicious Ceremony, the Tonsure Ceremony, Mount Kailasa, Rattanakosin Era 25).
