Fruit carving in Thailand, a delicious art

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The largest fruit carving competition took place in Bangkok on Friday 4 August 2017, an opportunity to look back at this wonderful tradition.

Fruit carving is a traditional Thai arton Kae Sa Lukvery popular.

The origin of fruit and vegetable carving

The origins of fruit and vegetable carving are contested.

Some say that this art form started in Japan in ancient times, others think that it started in SukhothaiSome people say that it was the first time that a person had been in Thailand 700 years ago, while others say that it was the first time that a person had been in Thailand 700 years ago. carving on vegetables originates from the time of the Tang Dynasty (618-906) or the Song Dynasty (960-1279 BC) in China.

The Thai origin

This art is said to have been created in Thailand during the Kratong Law (the festival of lights) in the 14th century.

For the Festival of Lights, the rafts are individually decorated with many objects, including banana leaves and flowers.

In 1364, one of the concubines of King Phra Ruang, Nang NoppamartIn order to create a unique decoration for his raft, he wanted to create a unique decoration for his raft.

Nang would then have had the idea of carving vegetables to make a flower and a bird and his raft would have been very successful.

King Phra Ruang, impressed by the grace and beauty of the sculpture, is said to have decreed that every woman should learn this new art.

In Central Thailand, people traditionally used a banana stem to decorate a coffin before cremation.

These banana stalks have been carved by artists and this has become an art form known as Thaeng yuak.

Over the centuries, interest in this art has waned.

In 1808, King Rama II was very fond of fruit and vegetable carvingThis art inspired him to write poems.

Fruit carving in Thailand today

Nowadays the art of fruit carving is taught from the age of 11 in primary and secondary schools in Thailand.

Optional courses are also offered at universities.

Fruit is carved to be offered to the Buddhist monksat ceremonies such as the marriagesor simply to embellish a meal or a food stand.

It is a cheap and easy way to practice the art of carving and is also a tourist attraction.

You will be able to follow fruit carving course during your travel to Thailand.

Fruit carving competitions

Competitions are organised every year in Thailand.

The last one took place on 4 August in Bangkok in honour of the anniversary of the Queen of Thailandwhich is also Mother's Day and will take place on 12 August.

Dozens of Thai artists took part in the famous competition.

More than 20 teams carved owls, elephants or intricate Thai designs on fruits such as taros, melons or papayas.

Video of the 2017 Bangkok fruit carving competition

See also :
The 14 best fruits of Thailand with the name in Thai

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Source: channelnewsasia.com ; Wikipedia.org ; Photos: carved fruit from Thailand: ศีลงูสาวสวยปาแหวน ; carved cantaloupe and watermelon: Webqueen ; Carved pumpkin: Takeaway