Pan Sel Myo: The Ten Flowers of Myanmar

Myanmar's thriving arts and crafts scene celebrates the countries' deep-rooted culture and religious traditions, dating back many centuries. The importance of the Buddha and His teachings are evident throughout the "Pan Sel Myo," or "Ten Flowers of Myanmar," which comprises the ten traditional forms of artistic craft-making conducted in the country.

The first flower of the "Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is Panchi, the art of painting. The earliest paintings in Myanmar are traced back to the 11th century and are housed in the many monasteries and pagodas of the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Bagan. Next is Pantin, the art of making utensils from metals, such as copper, bronze, or brass. Every pagoda in Myanmar has triangle bells traditionally struck to signify good deeds. The next craft is Panbu, a branch of sculpture that produces figures and designs from wood. Next, we have Panyun, the art of making lacquerware using bamboo or wood and covering it with a liquid varnish made from tree sap, and then etching or painting the piece by hand. Then we have Panbe, the art of the blacksmith.

The 6th Flower of Myanmar is Pantamault, the art of stone sculpting. When making stone images of the Buddha, the stone used must be blessed with a sprinkle of holy water and homage offering. The next craft is Panpoot, the art of crafting wooden utensils on a lathe turner and can be traced back to the 8th century. This is followed by Pantaut, the art form of creating designs and figures from stucco. Popular forms of this practice are showcased in beautiful flower designs and figures such as lion-people and dragon-people. Next, we have Pantain, the art of gold and silversmith. Up until very recently, all gold and silversmithing were done solely by hand, without using machines. The last of "The Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is Panyan, the art of bricklaying and masonry, which dates way back to the 1st century AD.

One of the structures that best exemplify "The Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is the Shwenandaw Monastery, also known as "Golden Palace Monastery."