Burma / Myanmar: The Four Kings of the Zatumharit Heaven, as represented in a 19th century Burmese parabaik, or folding palm leaf book manuscript

Nats are spirits worshipped in Burma in conjunction with Buddhism. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest (i.e., spirits of trees, water, etc). Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths.

According to Sir Richard Carnac Temple, who wrote the definitive English language study on The Thirty-Seven Nats in 1906, all Burmese nat—with two exceptions, including Thagya Nat—are the spirits either of former royalty, or of persons connected with royalty. Most lived between the 13th and 17th centuries, and nowadays each is associated with a special cult, that is a specific ceremony or festival, together with an appropriate place and time for performing it.

The Four Kings of the Zatumaharit Heaven are (left to right): Daddarata Nat Min (Dhatarattha), King of the East [North]; Virulaka Nat Min (Virulhaka), King of the South; Virupekka Nat Min (Virupakkha), King of the West; Kuvera or Wethawun Nat Min (Kuvera or Vessavana), King of the North [East].

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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