Literary Analysis in Prophetic Cards from the Temples in Mueang District, Phetchaburi

Abstract

Literary analysis in prophetic cards within Mueang district, Phetchaburi province, focused on the style and literature of language written on the prophetic cards from the temples around the designated area. Patterns, contents, language use and values of language in prophetic cards were also included in this analysis. Data being used in this literary analysis were 336 prophetic cards from 12 of 75 temples in Mueang district, Phetchaburi. The result found from the literary analysis presented that there would be 28 prophetic cards for each temple, some temples bought them from a publisher in Bangkok and some temples had self-published. Each of the prophetic cards had a mixed appearance. Each number had 2-4 cards and there was different writing styles but they had quite the same meaning. The style of prophetic cards has 2 parts which specify the name of temple or sacred place, specify number and prophecy content and end with a greeting. Most of them were printed in 3 languages, there were Thai, English and Chinese. The writing style was a polite poem including of 11-20 paragraphs each paragraph had 5-11 words, the most common are 8 words.  Details in the prophetic cards were divided into 2 parts. First part was the prophecy about fates in 8 aspects; luck had the most content followed by soulmate, bad luck, health, wealth, relatives, breeding, work. Another part was the warning or suggestion in case of finding solution for any obstacle or bad situation that might occur. In conclusion, there were 3 types of prophecies; positive, neutral, and negative.  The language used in the prophetic card was outstanding in aesthetics by using internal rhyme in the style of rhyming vowel. There were many elements manifested in the language such as synonyms, analogy, metaphor, style, tones, old-fashion words and so forth. The value obtained from literary analysis through prophetic cards was to preserve the traditional Thai language, Thai poems, so it remained in the cultural heritage as a relief to our hearts and mind, giving ethics of life so we can live consciously.