Amulet collecting is an acknowledged phenomenon in contemporary Thai culture.The objects function as relics of Buddhist personages, as well as talismans, worn to promote health and good fortune. Because the marketplace is so vast, this study examines two particular types of amulets that recognize birthdays: so-called “birthday Buddha” amulets, that connect the wearer’s own birthday to specific days of the week associated with events in the Buddha Sakyamuni’s life; and commemorative medallions that honor a specific birthday of a Thai monk or king. Though both of these amulet types relate to birthdays, each functions differently for the wearer. While birthday Buddha amulets facilitate an intimate connection between the life of the Buddha Sakyamuni and the individual practitioner, the commemorative portrait type represents a shift from Buddhist image veneration to more material collecting concerns. This study constitutes a contribution to a more thorough investigation of the amulet tradition, particularly as the collectors’ community continues to expand.
