Kinnari
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kinnari (also spelt Kinaree, Kinaree and Ginnaree; Burmese: ကိန္နရီ; IPA: [kèinnəyì]) is a figure from the Indian epic Himmawatpradhes, which is in Thailand known as Himapan Forest. Kinnaris are depicted as half-bird half-women creatures in Thai, Cambodian and Lao, and Burmese mythology. One of the many creatures that inhabit the mythical Himapan Forest, Kinnari has the head, torso, and arms of a woman and the wings, tail and feet of a swan. She is renowned for her dance, song and poetry, and is a traditional symbol of feminine beauty, grace and accomplishment.
One of the ancient Indian string instruments also is known as Kinnari Veena. The male counterpart of Kinnari is Kinnara (or Kinnon).
[edit] Thailand
The Kinnari (Thai: กินรี) in Thai literature originates from India, but was modified to fit in with the Thai way of thinking. The Thai Kinnari is depicted as a young woman wearing an angel-like costume. The lower Part of the body is similar to a bird, which should enable her to fly between the human and the mystical worlds.
The most famous Kinnari in Thailand is the figure known as Manorah in a Thai tone entitled Panyasachadok. Part of this literature is a dance called Manorah-Buchayan, which is one of the most esoteric among the high classical dances of Thailand
Thai Airways International publishes even a monthly magazine with the title Kinnaree.
[edit] Myanmar
Burmese Buddhists believe that out of the 136 past animal lives of Buddha, four were Kinnara. The Kinnari is also one of the 108 symbols on the footprint of Buddha. In addition, Burmese Kinnari are depicted with covered breasts.
