Bia Gae -  A very unique amulet

Bia Gae is a very unique kind of Thai amulet that is popular amongst many devotees that wish to protect themselves from black magic and other forms of evil.
 

There are several kinds of amulet that are known to protect against such malevolent forces but Bia Gae amulets were created especially for this purpose and as such are thought to be the most powerful talisman.
 

History of Bia Gae amulets

The magic science to create Bia Gae amulets was known and inherited from the Ayudhaya period or at least 400-500 years ago and many believe that the tradition is older than that.

It is generally assumed that an ancient temple in Ayudhaya called “Wat Pradu Nai-Soengdharma” was the origin of the magic science to create such amulets.
 

However, in the early days the designs and styles varied considerably, until 100 years ago when Luang Phor Rod of Wat Nai Rong designed the first Bia Gae amulet that has since been the prototype for all amulets since. His design was based on a sea shell known as Bia-Jun, which he filled with liquid mercury prior to blessing.
 

From that time onwards almost all Bia Gae amulets follow a similar design format.
 

The Bia Jun or cowry shell is a very beautiful shiny tropical sea shell, with a humped back sometimes decorated with spots like a leopard skin. 

During ancient times in China, South East Asia and Africa, it was commonly used as coin or money.  The Thais called it Bia Gae and used it instead as a talisman for protection.  The arched back of the cowrie is like a shield and therefore it is believed that it could bounce off evil energy.
 

The best known monks to create such amulets are as follows:

Luang Phor Rod of Wat Nai-Rong

There are not many records detailing the history and background of Lunag Phor Rod other than that he was ordained at Wat Bangbumruh prior to his move to Wat Nai Rong where he created his Bia Gae amulets.

Whilst he was resident at Wat Bangbumruh it is also known that he was a disciple of Luang Phor Khak who it is assumed that he learnt most of his knowledge from.

Luang Phor Khak, was highly specialized in ancient magic sciences and was attributed to have taught many other famous monks of that era including Luang Phor Boon of Wat Klang Bangkaew, Nakorn Pathom province and Luang Phor Ie of Wat Sattahip, Cholburi province.

His life was quite mysterious travelling from one place to another imparting knowledge to those that wanted to learn.
 

Luang Phor Rod’s Bia Gae as we have said were the prototype design for the modern Bia Gae amulet and almost all monks since have copied his design particularly in the choice of shell and using mercury as the main component with which to fill the amulet.   It is believed that Luang Phor Khak had created such amulets prior to those of Luang Phor Rod, but it was LP Rod that publicized his amulets to Thai society and it is for this reason he is generally considered the Father of Bia Gae amulets. As one would expect his amulets are now worth a small fortune, well outside the budget of the average collector.   Another interesting design feature of his amulets was the use of embroidered strings to cover the Bia Gae amulets. These not only protected the shell amulet itself but also added to the beauty. His disciples spent many hours delicately weaving the string

 Generally the design or style of the embroidered strings could be divided into two distinct types:

Type 1: Embroidered strings that covered the entire Bia Gae amulet.

Type 2: Embroidered strings that only partly covered the Bia Gae amulet. The centre of the front was not covered so that the shell amulet within was visible. (as seen in picture 5).

After the strings were bound the amulets were typically covered with black lacquer to make them stronger and further enhance the beauty. Some devotees would also cover the amulets with gold foil and many example exist showing this practice.

Another unique aspect of Luang Phor Rod’s Bia Gae amulets was that when shaken the sound of water would emanate, actually this of course was the liquid mercury, which it was said increases the power of the amulet. Mercury used in these amulets would always be bless. Luang phor Rod passed away in BE 2472.


Luang Phor Boon - Wat Klang Bang Kaew
 

When he was 13, his father passed away and he was sent to Wat Klang Bangkaew to learn Lord Buddha’s Dharma. He was ordained as a novice at the age of 15.

Aged 20 he was ordained as a Buddhist monk on June 21, B.E.2412. He resided at the temple for his entire life until he had passed away in B.E.2478.

 

Aged 20 he was ordained as a Buddhist monk on June 21, B.E.2412. He resided at the temple for his entire life until he had passed away in B.E.2478. Although his Bia Gae amulets are thought to be second to those of Luang Phor Rod the power of the amulets is equal. It was recorded that Luang Phor Boon could use his sacred incantations to cause the mercury to run by itself into the holes of the sea shells. This was witnessed by many people who attended his ceremonies