122 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Khom Rang Mod Som (Red Ant-nest Lantern) or Khom Sema Thamma
Chak (Wheel of the Dharma on the Boundary Stone Lantern)
This lantern’s form is similar to a colony of red ant (Mod Daeng) and in an octagonal shape
like “Dharma chakra” (Wheel of the Dharma). Its top is attached with triangle-shaped handles.
When its bamboo frame is wrapped with paper, the upper part is left open to put Phang Prathit
inside, or let air transmit into the lantern. The lower part is decorated by Khom’s tail. Khom
Rang Mod is created for Buddhist worships only.
Khom Hai (Jar Lantern)
The lantern’s shape is like a jar as its top part wider than the bottom part which is square.
The shape of the upper part is hexagonal, with attached four triangle-shaped handle, while the
bottom part is square. The tail is decorated with stencil paper. The mouth has a hole to hold the
Phang Prathit. This type of lantern can be used for general worships, sometimes called “Khom
Phet” (diamond lantern). It is popular as a gift for a new house and wedding ceremonies as for
its auspicious meaningfulness.