Writing matters to me, and I am endlessly challenged and delighted to be able to write for a living. Along with writing, I seem unable to avoid other forms of creating. That's in part why I've written The Craft of Thai Ribbon Weaving. I have fallen in love with this art form, and was distressed to find nothing in published materials aside from videos and some Thai magazine articles.
I am not the most likely candidate to have written this book, given that I have no familial ties to the tradition of Thai ribbon art. I have, however, worked with preserving endangered Indigenous languages, and am vividly aware of how easy it is to lose traditions that are not widely known outside of a specific geographic area. My background as a librarian also gives impetus to my desire to make information available. I respect very much the traditions of cultures worldwide and am providing my understanding of this art form both to preserve the form, and to inform a wider audience about it. Please get in touch to help correct any instructions and provide any information about this art form.
Thai ribbon weaving encases a coin in decorative ribbons. I am fascinated by the forms! Small, shiny, and beautiful.
I am not the most likely candidate to have written this book, given that I have no familial ties to the tradition of Thai ribbon art. I have, however, worked with preserving endangered Indigenous languages, and am vividly aware of how easy it is to lose traditions that are not widely known outside of a specific geographic area. My background as a librarian also gives impetus to my desire to make information available. I respect very much the traditions of cultures worldwide and am providing my understanding of this art form both to preserve the form, and to inform a wider audience about it. Please get in touch to help correct any instructions and provide any information about this art form.
Thai ribbon weaving encases a coin in decorative ribbons. I am fascinated by the forms! Small, shiny, and beautiful.
Thai Ribbon Weaving
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The Book
The Craft of Thai Ribbon Weaving will soon be available in both digital downloads and as in printed form. Check on your favorite bookseller site to find it (coming soon). The Materials This art form relies on a specific type of ribbon, which you can get from various Asian sites and also for now through the Etsy site I will be creating. The videos, made by generous Thai craftspeople, show labels that guided me in my quest to make this art form. My best luck has been with DoubleBells and TW ribbon--available on Temu, AliExpress, and Shoppee Thailand (not currently available in the U.S.). 
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The Art Form
Encasing a coin in ribbon is used in a celebration celebrates a young man enters a Buddhist monastery. In Thailand, young men become Buddhist monks for a time—often for about two weeks. The man walks or rides to the monastery in festive procession, which can be accompanied by a small crowd, live music, and food. On the journey, he throws ribbon-wrapped coins. This symbolizes the actions of the Buddha, then Prince Siddhartha, giving away his wealth before becoming a monk. The coin scattering, referred to as rien proy tarn or rien proi tarn—เหรียญโปรยทาน—is a celebration of the occasion. The joyful procession is a little like Mardi Gras, with attendees reaching for the tossed, wrapped coins, which are often treasured, the coin remaining in the ribbon. The scattering of coins is sometimes referred to as “making merit,” a key tenet of the Thai Buddhist tradition. Scattered coins are now also used in weddings, funerals, and during holidays, such as Loi Krathong Day, a festival to give thanks to the goddess of water. |
Learning to Weave Ribbon
I have created a a few introductory videos that I will be adding to the site. Please check them out, along with the many videos available online. Search using these terms to get started:
Also check out my Thai Ribbon Weaving Pinterest board for some videos I used to teach myself how to weave ribbons. And of course, you should get the book! |
