07/12/2023
[Preah Thong and Neang Neak]
Preah Thong and Neang Neak are two legendary figures that hold immense significance in Khmer culture.
According to Khmer belief, they founded the pre-Angkorian state of Funan, marking the beginning of Khmer land, culture, traditions, and civilization.
The statue of Preah Thong and Neang Neak is a remarkable monument in Cambodia that stands tall at 21 meters on a 6.34-meter-high pedestal, making it the most significant copper statue in the country. It weighs a whopping 60 tonnes and faces the sea, making it an awe-inspiring sight for anyone who sees it in Sihanouk Ville province.
According to Chinese envoys Kang Tai and Zhu Ying, the state of Funan was established by an Indian Brahmin merchant named Kaundinya. He received a dream instruction to take a magic bow from a temple and defeat the Naga princess named Soma, the daughter of the king of the Naga. He successfully defeated her and later married her, and their lineage became the royal dynasty of Funan. Kaundinya went on to build a capital, Vyadhapura, known as KambojadeΕa.
Vyadhapura was the capital of the Kingdom of Funan, located near the Funan's sacred mountain of Ba Phnom, Prey Veng province. According to Chinese reports, it was approximately 193,121 km or 120 miles from the sea. The historical significance of Vyadhapura is immense, and according to Paul Pelliot, it was also the capital of Water Chenla.
Queen Soma was a significant ruler in the history of Cambodia and is widely acclaimed as the country's first monarch and female leader. She was the consort of Kaundinya I, known as Soma, and in Khmer, she is known as Neang Neakii.
According to legends, an Indian merchant ship was attacked by pirates led by Princess Soma, the daughter of the chieftain of the local NΔga clan. The merchants led by Kaundinya fought back and fended off the attackers, but the ship had been damaged and was beached for repairs. Princess Soma was impressed by Kaundinya's bravery and proposed marriage, which he accepted. The union led to the foundation of the House, which became the royal dynasty of Funan, ruling the region for many generations. The female line of the kingdom also acquired royal legitimacy, which explains why the serpent (NΔga) became an essential part of Khmer iconography.
This mystical union remained a necessary part of the court ceremonies at Angkor during the era of the Khmer Empire, a testament to the profound impact of Preah Thong and Neang Neak on Khmer culture.