Nang Kwak

Thai Goddess of Wealth

Nang Kwak is the Thai goddess of wealth. She is extremely popular in Thailand. This goddess brings money and prosperity.

She is most often seen wearing a traditional Thai dress. It is told her favorite color is red. Close by her heft side you will find the money bag.

Sometimes she holds the money bag in her left hand. That is her attribute.

She is almost always pictured in a sitting position. Most often she will wear a golden crown on her head.

Her rights hand seems to be waving. This is a beckoning motion is beleived to attract wealth and customers.

It is the same gesture as seen on the Japanese Beckoning Cat, Maneki Neko. It may come as no surprise that the cat is Nang Kwak’s sacred animal.

She has much in common with the Beckoning Cat. Her name means Beckoning Lady. Nang means lady and kwak means to beckon.

She is the one who attracts money. You may come across Mae in front of her name. Mae means mother and this tittle gives her extra honor.

Nang Kwak is much loved in Thailand. Stories about how she has helped people overcome financial difficulties appear on a regular basis in the media in Thailand. Her popularity seems to be increasing.

Pictures and statues of her are found in homes and most business establishment.

Actually anyone with a strong urge to manifest wealth will have some kind of image, statue or amulet close by.

Some prefer to make offerings to Nang Kwak. Offerings can be water bottles, flowers, white rice, sweets or make-up. Many may also burn incense sticks as a tribute to Nang Kwak.

Yet others are happy and satisfied to keep the Nang Kwak statue at peace and feel confident she bestows her blessings of good fortune for the household or business place.

Wearing an amulet with an image of Nang Kwak is also very common. This is practical for people on the move.

Also people who want the constant blessings of Nang Kwak will wear her amulet in addition to having her statue in their home or business place.

Not all will choose a statue. In some shops and homes you may find they prefer to have a picture of this goddess of wealth hanging on the wall.

Nang Kwak Legend

The story of how this goddess came to be is not set in stone. Some say she is the incarnation of the old Thai rice goddess called Mae Phosop. Rice has always been connected to wealth. As an incarnation of the rice goddess, Nang Kwak takes the wealth attraction business to a higher level.

Another popular legend is that Nang Kwak once was a young woman named Supawadee.

She lived with her parents in a small town in Northern India about the time Buddhism started gain followers.

Her parents were merchants and not very successful. They struggled hard to keep their business above ground and barely made enough to support their family.

Supawadee would often accompany her father on his business trips. It was on one of these trips she found herself listening to a sermon on Buddhism.

The words of the sermon seemed to make perfect sense and she immediately converted to Buddhism.

Supawadee became a very devoted Buddhist. Gasaba Thaera had for a long time noticed the sincerity of Supawadee and was very much impressed. As it happened Gasaba Thaere was an Arahant, one who had been pronounced worthy, a perfect person.

According to Buddhism he had special powers. Gasaba Thaere used his powers to bless Supawadee. The blessing she received would be connected to good fortune.

As a result her family became very wealthy. Rumors of Supawadee’s connection to prosperity brought people from near and far to her home. All were eager to be blessed by this fortunate woman.

Supawadee was to become the spirit or goddess of wealth known as Nang Kwak.