Glossary


Myanmar (Burma) - Photo Gallery


Throughout this photo gallery you find typical romanised Myanma terms in the captions under the photos. Here are some short explanations in alphabetical order. When you click on the term it shows you an example.

Term
Explanation
Belu Ogre (mythical monster)
Cheroot Big traditional Myanma cigar
Chinthe A mythical lion-like creature (leogryph)
Daw Ms or Aunt (honorific used for mature women or women in a senior position)
Hintha A mythical Swan (Hamsa bird)
Hti The embrella shaped spire on the top of a zedi
Karaweik A bird with a melodious cry (from the Pali karavika)
Ko Mr or brother (honorific used for men of similar age)
Kyaung Buddhist monastery
Ma Miss, Ms or sister (honorific used for young women or women of similar age)
Manussiha A half-lion half-man mythical creature (usually found guarding the four corners of a pagoda)
Maung Boy or younger brother (honorific used for young men)
Naga A mythical snake or legless (sometimes multiheaded) dragon (serpentine dragon-like being)
Nat Worshipped spirit (spirits of humans, especially those who died violent deaths)
Pahto Hollow shrine or temple
Paya A generic Myanma term for all sacred objects or places like a Buddha image, zedi or pahto
Pyathat A tower with five, seven or more tiered roofs, representing the centre of the universe
Pyit Taing Htaung Meaning "something which always rises up by itself after thrown down". It is a brightly-painted egg-shaped papier-mâché toy (called a roly-poly toy, tilting doll, tumbler, wobbly man or Tumbling Kelly) with weight attached to the round base causing it always to recover its upright position after it is pushed over. It is usually colored red and with a white smiling face.
Razi Mountain in Jingphaw (Kachin) language
Shin Pyu Ceremony for initiating a Buddhist novice
Tagundaing A sacred pole with one or more streaming banners and usually a Hintha bird on top
Taung Mountain
Thanakha Traditional cosmetic and sun-block sandalwood-like paste, made by grinding the bark of a thanakha tree log with a little water on a flat round stone
Tu ma lay Honorific used for younger (little) niece or cousin
U Mr or uncle (honorific used for mature men or men in a senior position)
Umin Cave
Zay Market
Zedi Stupa (a solid mound-like structure with terraces supporting a hemisphereous, bulbous or bell-shaped dome containing Buddhist relics and a spire on top)


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Myanmar (Burma) - Photo Gallery
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