Puang Malai
Garlands, a type of Thai floral arrangement, are made using freshly picked flowers, leaves, and other plant and flower parts, then fashioned on twigs in different patterns. Thailand abounds in many kinds of flowers, such as jasmine, canna, gardenia, globe amaranth, and crown flowers.
In olden days, people came up with ideas for making the best use of these flowers, such as using flower garlands as offerings to Buddha images. They can also be draped around the neck of the bride and bridegroom at wedding ceremonies. Some people drape them around their wrists, use them a souvenirs, or as offerings to masters of various crafts in homage paying ceremonies.
A garland is often in the form of a small animal, usually a floral squirrel, comprising mainly jasmine, gardenia, orange jasmine leaves or rose petals. There is also a small bunch of flowers suspended from the garland, often made with crown flowers and globe amaranth. A garland in the form of the half circle is tied between the floral squirrel and the bunch of flowers, with a ribbon attached for certain types of garlands, such as those used to drape around the neck and for souvenir garlands.
In the past, garland making was considered an important duty for Thai females, especially the women of the palace. Any woman who could not make garlands was deemed lacking and important female quality. So when a girl grew up, her mother or grandmother would train her to select flowers and make garlands, also teaching her techniques to make beautiful flower arrangements. The offspring of some aristocrats attended craft schools with special courses in garland making. Flower arranging has been passed down from generation to generation in various patterns and forms, such as in the shape of animals and circles.
