The Gendered Allure of Nang Kwak From Statuettes to NFTs in Thailand
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Abstract
Nang Kwak, the “Beckoning Lady”, encapsulates the convergence of commercial ambition and spiritual devotion in Thailand. This article explores her role as a popular deity of prosperity and amid the country’s rich genderscape, how her allure is shaped by traditional female tropes of beauty, family devotion, and reassurance. By analyzing her depictions in lore, sacred objects, and contemporary media like NFTs, alongside insights from shopkeepers and amulet collectors, this study examines how her mythical representations as a daughter and worshipped mother intersect with Thai Buddhism. Nang Kwak’s potency works through her charm or sane (เสน่ห์), nuancing conventional notions of power and reflecting complex dynamics of gender, religion, and cultural reproduction.
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