Mai MongKon – The Placement Of Auspicious Plants In The Living Quarters for Fengshui

Many cultures in Asia believe that placing certain plants in appropriate locations will increase the auspicious or inauspicious energies of a place. These can be done to attract “chi”, or the universal energy flow, as all objects in this universe, especially living organisms, have a unique energy signature. When these different energies complement each other, an auspicious environment is created. The effects of this are wide-ranging, from having good health and a sharp intellect to imbuing occupants with an aura of ardour.

The presence of certain objects may also impact the emotional, spiritual, and even physical wellbeing of the people exposed to them. The effects may not be immediately apparent, but rather, are cumulative and cause a ripple effect, first having detrimental effects on health, before creeping into other aspects of our lives.

In this article, we will describe some of the positive and negative effects these plants and objects may have on our lives.

Thais believe that certain objects whose names are analogous or sound similar to auspicious words, by association, are imbued auspicious properties. These objects are named Wathu Mongkon

. Wathu means objects and Mongkon means auspiciousness

Different Types of Auspicious Wood (Mai Mongkon)

Here are 20 of the most common auspicious plants for your home.

1. Ton Keaw

(Orange Jessamine, Satinwood, Cosmetic Bark Tree). It is a favourite among plant enthusiasts as it wafts its gentle fragrance through its vicinity. If you cultivate this at home, it draws people towards you, bringing you more opportunities in life

2. Ton Kosol

(Codiaeum Variegatum), Kosol sounds similar to Goosoln, which means to add Boon. Auspicious energy and Siri Mongkhon will surround your home and family.

3. Ton Guan Yim

(Dracaena Sanderiana). Closely resembles the bamboo stalk held by Guan Yin, or the Bodhisatta of compassion and mercy. Both Thais and Chinese consider this plant holy due it’s association with Guan Yin, the name the Chinese devotees use to refer to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara of the Mahayana tradition in Buddhism. There are 2 varieties, “gold” and “silver”. These are often offered to Chinese deities or Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. They are believed to bring auspiciousness and prosperity into your life.

4. Ton Kra Dang Nga

(Ylang Ylang). It brings fame and prestige to the people residing within the house. It can also further your career, and draw opportunities towards you. It must be placed in the East of the house. It is a perennial bloomer, and the delicate fragrance of its flowers can be enjoyed throughout the home year-round.

5. Ton Mayom

(Phyllanthus Acidus). A common plant for the home, often cultivated to bless homeowners with popularity and kinship. Thais often say that growing this plant in your house makes everyone your friend, even your enemies. The wood from this plant can be used to create Rak Yom amulets.

6. Ton Ban Mai Roo Roay

(Globe Amaranth). The name Ban Mai Roo Roay means “the eternal bloom of a flower”. If it is planted in the house, it brings love and harmony. It is offered during Wai Kru ceremony, as part of the ceremonial tray, often in the form of elaborate floral arrangements. Thais refer to it as Pan Wai Kru, and they symbolize fealty and respect for their teachers.

7. Ton Dao Reung

(African Marigold). A popular indoor plant because of its flowers’ resemblance to gold nuggets. Its presence ensures a smooth-sailing life with few challenges standing in your way. These are often strung into necklaces and used for worship of deities.

Before commencing the construction of a temple hall or building, marigolds are also often hidden in the cement box that is placed below the foundations, to bless the ground the building stands on.

8. Ton Wasana

(Dracaena fragrans L. Ker-Gawl / Cape of Good Hope). Planting this in your house will bring good luck, and grant you all your desires.

Wasana

in Thai translates to a drastic, often dramatic turn in your fortunes. On the extremely rare occasions that this plant blooms, it is believed to coincide with an owner’s luck changing for the better.

9. Ton Kluay Mai

(En.Orchidaceae). There are an estimated 20,000 different varieties of orchid, but all of them are believed to imbue you with an aura of impartiality and integrity. People engaged in occupations that require integrity, as well as soft-spoken personalities, are encouraged to cultivate them in the home.

10. Ton Poot

(Gardenia brighamii). Thais believe that this plant will help you expand your business, and enjoy good health. Only the white flowers are known to be auspicious, supporting your baramee, bringing you harmonious relationships within the family, and success in all your endeavours.

11. Ton Phaya Yor

(Clinacanthus nutans (burm.f.) lindau). Thais believe this tree will make your life smooth and complete. It is also consumed as a herb.

12. Ton Champa

(Magnolia champaca). A type of Mongkon. Various parts of the tree may be used as herbs for treating ailments and afflictions. Because of its ability to sustain life, it is seen as a life-giver, supporting you in every pursuit and endeavour.

It is attached to PuangMaLai

as an offering to statues of worship, as well used as a hair ornament by ladies. Preserved for its fragrance via a special process, it may also be known as Champa Dong, a popular favour maintained in the courts of Thai royalty.

These flowers bring luck and are especially auspicious for those who are born on Sunday.

13. Ton Chaba

(Hibiscusrosa-sinensis). If you plant this in your house, you will enjoy unhindered career progression.

It does, however, have a bit of a shady reputation. In ancient times, before convicts were executed, PuangMaLai were made using these flowers. These were hung around their necks prior to execution by beheading.

14. Ton Rajapruek

, or the Golden Shower Tree, also known as Ton Koon. It is good for Amnaj Wasana, and for politicians, or other people in need of an authoritative presence. This tree bestows an aura of prestige, honour and respect to the occupants. The leaves of the tree may be steeped in holy water, which may then be imbibed, or used for ceremonial cleansing and washing.

16. Ton Khem

, or West Indian Jasmine. It is an important flower during Wai Kru ceremonies, as devotees believe that offering these to their teachers, bestows upon them the intelligence and wisdom of their master. This is because the flowers have a straight sharp stalk. Straight, representing clarity of thought, and sharpness, symbolic of utilizing the knowledge in profound ways.

17. Ton Mali

, or the Jasmine flower. Its white colour symbolizes purity, and its fragrance, virtue. This is symbolic of the renown of a virtuous person, which spreads across a wide diaspora like the fragrance of a flower, wafting on the breeze. It is usually offered to the Triple Gems, as well as to mothers during Mother’s Day, to remind family members of the virtues of a Mother’s love.

18. Ton Krabong Petch

(Cactus). Thais love to grow this inside the house, as they believe that they will have increased opportunities for career progression, and draw wealth into their lives.

19. Ton Nang Kwak

(Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don). Thais believe that planting this at home will “call” money into the house because resembles the hand of Nang Kwak statue when flapping in the wind.

20. Ton Pai

(Bamboo). This bestows a house with an aura of peace and harmony. As the wind blows, the bamboo stalks seem to bow, symbolizing humility. Thus this tree is associated with mutual deference and harmonious interpersonal relations.