At the ends of Thai temple roofs sit slender, curving finials – chofa, “sky tassels.” The chofa resembles a stylized bird, and most agree it represents Garuda, the half-bird mount of the god Vishnu. A hall is not considered consecrated until its chofa is in place.
Before the raising, the finial is laid on the ground, and temple-goers press gold leaf onto it with their own hands – an act of merit. Then it is lifted to the rooftop, where no hand will ever reach it again. But this rule doesn’t apply to birds – free wanderers of the Sky.
The bird on the tip is an oriental magpie-robin, one of Bangkok’s most common and most gifted singers. Males pick the highest perch they can find to sing from.