THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
Sacred, Centuries-Old Emerald Buddha Gets New Home (1784)
Although legend dates the creation of the Emerald Buddha to a more ancient time, it was likely carved in the 15th century. The revered green figurine has enjoyed an eventful history ever since. After centuries of being variously lost, transported, and rediscovered, the small statue was moved with great ceremony by King Rama I to its current home in the most sacred temple in Thailand, the Wat Phra Kaew.