Thailand: Two young princes (bottom left of picture) stand in front of a royal entourage for their tonsure ceremony, Bangkok, late-19th century.

In 19th-century Siam, almost every young male in the royal family entered the ‘sangha’ or Buddhist monkhood as a rite of passage. The tonsure ceremony was an initial act of this rite as all novices must have their heads shaved to enter the monastic order. The tradition survives to this day, not just among Thai royalty, but at all levels of society.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

Old Siam