Yák (ยักษ์)

Yák (ยักษ์ 📣) is a giant, an ogre, the fanged guard at temple doors. A demon at the door, there to keep demons out. Yak began as Indian nature spirits, dangerous but not evil. Buddhism made them protectors: their king taught the Buddha a chant that keeps hostile spirits away. The Bangkok ones wear the faces of the Ramakien’s demons, and the green giant at Wat Arun is Thotsakan, the demon king himself. The letter ยอ is called yor yak: Thai children learn their alphabet with an ogre in it. The yák holds the door, as the nāak holds the stairs.