The Oryza Rice Totem

Mae Phosop, the goddess of rice, is the guardian of rice farmers, helping them care for their fields and ensuring a bountiful harvest.

This project reimagines a sacred totem by blending modern technology with traditional agricultural rituals that are often overlooked. In Thailand, Mae Phosop, the revered goddess of rice, is believed to protect farmers’ fields and bring prosperity. By intertwining this cultural symbol with innovation, the project seeks to honor and preserve the deep connection between the goddess and agriculture. It also encourages farmers to better understand and care for their fields—ensuring that Mae Phosop’s blessings endure and that she takes pride in the devotion to her crops.

To honor Mae Phosop, symbolic objects such as a mirror, scissors, and a comb represent the belief in her beauty and presence. The mirror, shaped in a hexagon, reflects the traditional belief that the number six offers protection against insects and pests. A fragrant powder serves as an additional symbolic tribute, signifying the goddess’s beauty, much like the adornments of a woman.

Therefore, rituals and agriculture are deeply intertwined—without rituals, agriculture loses its depth, and without agriculture, rituals lose their essence (Agri-Culture).

Weather Station
Technology

The weather station screen assists in collecting and recording data on temperature, humidity, wind velocity, wind direction, rainfall, and light intensity—factors that significantly influence each stage of rice growth and the timing of associated rituals.

Hydro Guard

This device ensures that the water level stays between 5 and 20 cm, optimal for supporting the growth and development of rice.

Mae Phosop

Rice farmers honor Mae Phosop twice a year—during the rice flowering stage and after the harvest—to express gratitude and respect. These rituals acknowledge the goddess’s role in protecting their fields and blessing them with abundance.